Changing Spatial Patterns of Internal Migrations in Thailand:

Using NESDB Data

Abstract

This paper examined changing spatial patterns of internal migrations in Thailand over the past two decades by analyzing net migration data provided by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).
This study found the following Characteristics of internal migrations. The North region and the Northeast region are continuously served as the suppliers of emigrants. Most of them tended to move to the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). In addition, the number of immigrants to the East region and the Central region considerably increased. This tendency can be interpreted as an expansion of metropolitan areas from the BMR to the Extended Bangkok Metropolitan Region (EBMR). EBMR consists of not only the BMR but also a part of the Central region and the East region. However, most of primary inter-prefectural migrations directed toward to Bangkok. This indicated that pull factors of Bangkok are still strong. Some prefectures have a feature as center of their region, but pull factors of them are very weaker than Bangkok.