A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007

The main purpose of this study was to find out the barriers affecting Burmese migrants in Talat Thai and Talat Kung outside Bangkok in Thailand. The study also investigated the health problems that the migrants in these two study areas suffer from and the female and male migrants' health treatment seeking behaviour. The study showed that migrants' health problems stem from both their living conditions and working conditions, and the psychological effects of living on the fringes of society, legally and socially. The study also showed that generally female migrants suffer from more health problems due to their living and working conditions. What also became apparent in this study was that being registered is no guarantee to access to health care or legal protection. Findings also showed that the female migrants generally face more barriers or experience the same barriers in a more limiting way than the male migrants due to the culturally determined roles and status of women. This study also revealed that the same pattern occurs among the migrants as in Thai society in general with women often earning less than men doing the same job. The findings also showed the importance of having an NGO in the vicinity for the migrants' access to health care services. Both male and female migrants benefit from the NGO's services and tailor made solutions designed to assist migrants who need health care