Child migrants and child labor in Thailand: An overview of motives and national policies

This study aims to investigate child migration and child labor issues in Thailand. The study specifically focuses on the factors that drive children from neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia to migrate to Thailand and engage in child labor, as well as the effectiveness of Thailand's current policies to protect these children. The study uses a qualitative research design and primarily employs desk research as the main method of data collection, drawing on various sources such as government reports and academic papers. The study provides a comprehensive background on child migration and child labor in Thailand, including relevant literature, international standards, and an overview of migration policies and factors that influence children's decision to migrate and engage in child labor. The study concludes that the issue of child labor among child migrants in Thailand is complex and influenced by numerous push and pull factors such as poverty, cultural norms, and lack of access to education. The elimination of the worst forms of child labor should be the main focus, taking into consideration the context, autonomy, and agency of the children. The study finds that governance of international migration in Thailand is subject to success and challenges and requires cooperation at all levels to address systemic problems. Irregular status of child migrants is a significant challenge, and laws and policies need to be aligned with the principles of the best interest of the child, equity, inclusivity, and participation. This study also highlights the need for improvement in education and health care policies, as well as child protection measures to ensure that they align with the child rights-based approach. The study concludes that efforts to address child labor in Thailand still fall short in fulfilling principles of equity, inclusivity, and participation.