The Immigrant Theory and New Chinese Immigrants

Abstract

Thailand contains one of the largest populations of Chinese immigrants outside of mainland China. Ethnic Chinese account for 11 percent of the Thailand population, some of which can be attributed to an effective assimilation policy implemented by the Thai government in the past, and especially during Phibunsongkhram-Era. It is therefore not surprising that Thailand and China have established such a strong relationship. Both culture and economy are intertwined through trade and exchanges, carried out by both communities.

       The roles and status’ of expatriate Chinese people have changed over time. Today’s current and future Chinese immigrants are no longer unskilled compared with the early Rattanakosin period. According to a survey of 119 new Chinese immigrants conducted by the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) of Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, 68.9 percent of new Chinese immigrants who invested in Bangkok start-ups, hold a bachelor degree. To further understand new Chinese immigrants in Thailand we must explore theoretical framework which will assist us to understand their situation.

       The phenomenon of new Chinese immigrants has not only occurred in Thailand, but also the larger south East Asian region and indeed the world. The presence of Chinese immigrants in the region has drawn special attention from trade and investment, to politics and security. This paper therefore aims to analyze this phenomenon with the related immigrant theory, in order to gain a better understanding of new Chinese immigrants in Thailand.