Abstract:
This thesis studies the new wave of Chinese migration in Thailand as a phenomenon and Thai governments way of coping with it. The research also looked into the factors that influence the governments policy made towards the new Chinese immigrant in Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts in Chiang Rai. The study was conducted through qualitative research method by study documents and data collected through in-depth interview with government officers. All the data was analyzed with Robert Keohane and Joseph Nyes Complex Interdependence Theory. The research found that since 2000, the Chinese migrants had begun to flow out to the world including Thailand and ASEAN Countries. The year also marked Chineses Going Global policy; a factor in ushering the forth wave of Chinese migration, also called New Chinese Migration. Most of the new Chinese migrants were businessmen and entrepreneurs. In Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts in Chiang Rai, a so-called border gate to China, they operates many business. The types of businesses include Chinese products vendors, logistics provider between Thailand and China, Fruit packaging warehouse (called lonk) buying fruits in Thailand and selling them in China, and tourism such as travel agencies and unauthorized guides. The state policy is neutral toward the new wave of Chinese migrants. They gave the Chinese freedom to operate businesses and deal with problematic business practices such as Chinese tourist agencies, unauthorized guides, and fruit packaging warehouse which directly affect Thai business on a case-by-case basis. One of the reasons for such attitude is the strong mutually beneficial relationship between Thailand and China in trading, investment, and tourism. The relationship also extended to the international cooperation and development frameworks such as GMS, ASEAN-China FTA, and Thai-China FTA. Moreover, the Chinese migrants play the role of economic middlemen; who act as another passage facilitating the flow of capital and goods. Compare to the overseas Chinese in the past, there are many differences and similarities particularly in terms of their role in the economy; both old and new Chinese immigrants play the roles of middlemen.