As the sun beats down on the bustling streets of Bangkok, beneath the weave of cultural diversity lies an issue larger than the vibrant market stalls, it’s the silent tales of those who journeyed far to be a part of Thailand’s colourful tapestry. Thailand, in all its beauty, has yet to unfurl a long-term anthem that sings the virtues of integration and acceptance for its migrant compatriots!
Amidst the murmur of diplomacy at the esteemed Ministry of Foreign Affairs, words of wisdom echoed through the hall. At a forum aptly named “Shaping Public Perception towards Migrants,” a law professor stood, her voice painting the room with urgency, speaking of dreams yet to be realized – an accepting society, one that offers a warm embrace to migrants aided by the strong pillars of supportive law.
Professor Sriprapha, with the poise of someone who carries secrets of the books, challenged the leaders of the Thai government and its ASEAN cousins. Her call was clear: Carve out a migration policy that’s not just a welcome sign but a strategy tailored to national necessities, setting quotas that resonate with the heartbeat of the country’s needs.
This, she implored, is the golden key to transforming public perception, to elevate migrants from whispers to revered members of society. Ignorance to this, she warned, is the seed that sprouts irregular and shadowy alleys for migrants, casting shadows on the protection of their fundamental human rights!
Hope, however, flickers in the horizon. Sriprapha unraveled a narrative of change, tracing lines back to a survey from the year 2004. Economic and social fabrics have since been interwoven with the threads of migration. When you wander to Mae Sot in Tak province, you feel the pulse of local hearts beating in harmony with migrant workers, an air of friendliness weaving through the community, a stalwart stand against the specter of racism.
Speak a wrong word about a migrant, and you’ll hear the cacophony of disapproval. From the orchards of Chanthaburi to the rolling landscape of Tak, and the vivacious streets of Bangkok, high percentages sing in unison – making jest of migrants is a tune they will not dance to.
From the lens of an economist, these travelers of distant tales are not just faces in the crowd. According to MI Group’s meticulous calculations, there are more than 2.3 million migrant sojourners powering Thailand with an energy worth up to the tune of 1.2 trillion baht per year! Indeed, Thailand’s economy pirouettes around this vital force, making a compelling ballad for their continued acceptance.
Impact of Covid-19
The tentacles of Covid-19 have not spared these global nomads. Waves of migrants retreated to their origins when the pandemic unfurled its lockdown cloak upon the world. But the silence that followed the lockdowns raised a poignant question – would they return? Their absence has left ghostly echoes in factories and empty echoes in restaurants, where once they thrived.
In times of crisis, ad hoc policies emerged, moulded by the outcry of companies, investors, and corporations. They were the chorus needing a workforce, a plea that nudged Thai policies toward possible metamorphosis, showing the might business has in sculpting the landscape of migration.
“They need migrants, and they can’t solely rely on Thai workers. So, with their pressure, we could see a transformation within Thailand’s policies,” the professor elucidated with a tenor of optimism. Her vision extends; Thai companies, she believes, open their doors wider, ready to welcome not only workers but those caught in the wake of turbulence, like Myanmar’s political tempest.
As the lecture threaded towards its close, Sriprapha unfurled a cross-cultural tapestry. She hinted at a world where Thailand mirrors nations like Canada and Singapore in granting migrant status, urging a re-tuning of ‘Thainess’ that celebrates, not stifles, the chorus of migrant voices, advocating for a symphony that resonates with inclusivity – crafting, at last, a society all-embracing in the warmth of Thailand’s smile.
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