Bangkok – On 31 May, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted the first national consultation on migration. The consultation's goals were to review Thailand's migration policies and identify priorities to enhance migration governance in line with the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), using IOM’s Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) assessment as a starting point for the discussion. 

“The promotion of a safe, orderly and regular migration is a shared goal among the international community,” remarked Pinsuda Jayanama, the Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We hope today’s consultation will pave ways to more integrated, effective, well-balanced and inclusive migration management policies in Thailand, ensuring that migrants can contribute to the country’s economic and social development while their rights and well-being are appropriately protected and promoted.” 

Migration is widely recognized as a key accelerator of sustainable development. However, this is only possible when governments ensure migration policies and practices are well-managed and rights-based. 

“As a home to nearly half of ASEAN migrant workers, who contribute up to seven per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, Thailand is a proof of how human mobility can drive progress and how migration can be leveraged to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” highlighted Renaud Meyer, the UN Resident Coordinator (ad interim). 

The consultation brought together over 160 stakeholders from the government, civil society, private sector, academia and migrant communities. They discussed multiple dimensions of migration and identified opportunities to strengthen migration governance in Thailand.  

The recommendations derived from this consultation will be used by the Government and other stakeholders in implementing responsive migration governance in line with the principles and objectives outlined in the GCM. 

Speakers at the consultation focused on harnessing the positive contributions of migrants to Thailand's social and economic development. Participants identified ways to create well-coordinated policies and regular pathways that better facilitate migrants’ access to decent work, legal identity and social services, including healthcare, education and social protection. 

“People-centred migration policies empower migrants, better protect their rights, and contribute to greater prosperity in their home and host countries,” said Géraldine Ansart, Chief of Mission at IOM Thailand. “Engaging in these forward-thinking dialogues can also help to find solutions to current labour shortages and demographic changes, drive innovation and provide government and business partners with future sustainable development strategies.” 

The consultation comes at an opportune time, as Thailand is preparing for the GCM Regional Review. This review follows the actions set out in the Progress Declaration of the 2022 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF). Recommendations from the consultation will not only inform policies for the national development plans but also pledges under the 2026 IMRF.  

Access the full report here: Migration Governance Indicator | Thailand Profile 2023 | IOM Thailand 

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For more information, please contact Joanna Francesca Dabao (jdabao@iom.int) or Nirut Bannob (nbannob@iom.int). 

For media inquiries, please contact Anushma Shrestha (anshrestha@iom.int)