Inclusive and Multidimensional Educational Policy for Migrant Children in Thailand as a Means to Promote Human Capital and Mitigate Social Pressures

ABSTRACT

 

This research initiative explores the assets, shortcomings, and potential strategies of Thailand’s current educational policy towards migrant children. The study analyzes human capital theory as a policy tool to help mitigate the potential social pressures created by migrant families.

 

As ASEAN continues to facilitate the movement of goods, ideas and people, the demographic landscape of Thailand will continue to transform into a more heterogeneous society that includes larger numbers of diverse ethnicities, languages, cultures, and ideas.  Thailand’s Ministry of Education must respond to ongoing demographic changes within Thailand with educational policy that is more inclusive, multidimensional and supportive of the incoming populations of migrant children.

 

Thailand’s status as a dynamic economic power in ASEAN is already a formidable driver of migration into the country. As its economy continues to grow, wages rise, and with the imminent facilitation of movement across borders through the expansion of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the influx of migrant families into Thailand will present social pressures for Thai society that will require considerable and duteous policy responses.

 

Moderator: Dr. Dusita Phuengsamran