Invited but not (always) willing to go

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. On the emergence of refugees

2.1. On resettlement issues

2.1.1. Regarding US resettlement

3. Thailand´s first challenge: Indochina refugee influx

3.1. The case of the Laos Hmong

4. Refugees´ position in Thailand

4.1. The Royal Thai Government´s policies

4.2. An historical overview on Burmese developments

4.2.1. Camp establishments and developments since the 1990s

5. Theorizing movements – a discussion of migration theories

5.1. Hypothesis: Social aspects tend to be neglected

6. Concretizing theory – the case of Tham Hin camp

6.1. Background – Tham Hin camp

6.2. Survey design

6.2.1. Problems encountered

6.3. Data analysis – methodology

6.4. Interpretation

6.4.1. Regarding a) Social ties and obligations

6.4.2. Regarding b) Coping worries

6.4.3. Regarding Group c) Contention

6.4.4. Regarding Group d) Passiveness

6.4.5. Regarding e) No understanding

6.5. Conclusion on results

7. Food for thought: Social dynamics and cohesion

8. Conclusion – lessons learnt (?)

9. Appendices

9.1. Appendix I: Worldwide UNHCR Resettlement Submissions vs. Departures 2003-2010

9.2. Appendix II: Camp population numbers 2007-2011

9.3. Appendix III: UNHCR Resettlement numbers

9.4. Appendix IV: Questions of Focus Group Discussions

9.5. Appendix V: Map of Thai refugee camps

9.6. Appendix VI: Map of Karen settlements

10. References

Objectives and Core Themes

This thesis investigates the reasons behind the significant number of refugees in the Tham Hin camp in Thailand who declined resettlement opportunities. It aims to challenge the dominant migration theories that prioritize economic rationality by demonstrating that social factors, specifically family bonds and community ties within the origin community, are often the primary drivers behind the decision to stay.

• The role of social networks and family obligations in migration decision-making.
• Critical analysis of traditional migration models (e.g., neoclassical "push-pull" theory).
• Empirical case study of Burmese refugees in Tham Hin camp.
• The impact of patriarchal structures and community cohesion on resettlement choices.
• Comparison between the resettlement experiences of Hmong refugees and current Burmese refugee populations.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Outlines the research hypothesis that social factors are often neglected in migration studies, using Tham Hin camp as a central case study.

2. On the emergence of refugees: Discusses the historical and theoretical development of refugee status and the role of international conventions.

3. Thailand´s first challenge: Indochina refugee influx: Examines historical resettlement efforts, focusing on the Hmong refugee experience.

4. Refugees´ position in Thailand: Analyzes the political context, government policies, and the historical background of Burmese developments.

5. Theorizing movements – a discussion of migration theories: Provides a critical discussion of major migration models and their economic bias.

6. Concretizing theory – the case of Tham Hin camp: Details the empirical survey conducted in the camp and interprets the reasons refugees gave for withdrawing from resettlement.

7. Food for thought: Social dynamics and cohesion: Explores the inherent social dynamics within refugee camps and how these influence community behavior.

8. Conclusion – lessons learnt (?): Summarizes the thesis, highlighting that social bonds are a crucial, yet often overlooked, factor in migration.

Keywords

Migration theories, resettlement, refugee camps, social networks, Tham Hin, Burmese refugees, family bonds, social capital, Thailand, migration decision, kinship, community cohesion, humanitarian aid, forced migration, social factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

This thesis examines why a substantial number of refugees in Thailand's Tham Hin camp opted against resettlement programs, despite living in precarious conditions, and seeks to provide a more holistic understanding of their decision-making process.

Which central thematic areas are covered?

The work covers migration theory, the political situation of refugees in Thailand, the specific history of the Tham Hin camp, and the sociological impact of family and kinship bonds on the decision to stay or move.

What is the main research question or hypothesis?

The hypothesis is that migration research heavily neglects the influence of social factors, such as extended family ties and local community norms, which frequently override economic "rational choice" motivations.

What scientific methodology was employed?

The author conducted a qualitative and problem-centered survey in 2010 at Tham Hin camp, consisting of semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions, subsequently analyzed using Mayring's content analysis technique.

What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?

The main body covers the evolution of refugee movements, migration theories (like the push-pull model and network theory), a detailed history of the Hmong and Burmese refugee situations, and the empirical findings regarding social "reason-types" for non-resettlement.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

The work is characterized by terms like migration theory, resettlement, social networks, Burmese refugees, family bonds, and Tham Hin camp.

How does this study specifically relate to the situation in Tham Hin camp?

It provides direct empirical data from the camp's population, showing that a significant portion of refugees remain there due to the presence of unregistered family members, rather than simple economic motivations.

What distinguishes this thesis from standard migration literature?

Instead of focusing solely on the economic "push" and "pull" factors, this thesis emphasizes the "outgoing community" and the strong, often patriarchal, social structures that constrain individual movement decisions.