Qualitative and Quantitative Factors in Rural-Urban Migration in Thailand.

In developing countries rural to urban migration has contributed to problems developing from changing population distribution and urbanization. Primate cities, the provision of decent employment, housing, and services for urban populations has become a subject of world-wide concern. Rural-urban migration typically results in urban unemployment and overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions. Programs to solve these problems have been limited and to the extent they were successful they have drawn more migrants into the city. Viewed thus, urban solutions aggravate the problems they try to solve. Reducing urban-rural differentials in wage rates, income levels, employment opportunities and welfare are typical programs aimed at improving conditions in rural areas thereby decreasing rural-urban migration. Other non-economic factors also play a part in decision to migrate to the city however. By focusing on these factors as well, this study attempts to suggest the necessity for a broadly based program of rural improvement as a part of the solution to uncontrolled urbanization. Environmental and non-economic factors affecting rural-based migration in Thailand to include neighborhood and housing quality, family bonds, and levels of external contact. Findings are based on a Longitudinal Study and a Community level Survey conducted by the Institute of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University in 1969 and 1972 plus field visits to six of the 45 original villages in 1982. Sex indexes were constructed for the analysis: physical accessibility; external contact; household density; housing quality; agricultural l and resource; and parental contact. The analysis and examination of causation indicates significant effects of environmental and non-economic factors on rural-based migration and plan to move in Thailand, particularly on the latter. These factors are physical accessibility, levels of external contact, and household density. Migrant's perception of the value of rural out-migration is influenced by information flow on either economic or/ and non-economic urban opportunities, and motivating unfavorable rural factors. These findings suggest that national policies to improve urban condition should include policies to decrease rural to urban migration through improving physical and social conditions in rural areas.Ph.D.Urban planningUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/159687/1/8402226.pd