Flow Monitoring Surveys: Insights into the Profiles and Vulnerabilities of Cambodian Migrants to Thailand (Round 1)

From mid-March until end-May 2019, a total of 3,127 Cambodian nationals were surveyed in the provinces of Battambang and Banteay Meanchey, of whom 3,122 were identified as migrant workers. The 3,122 migrant workers were categorized in two different migrant groups. The first group was comprised of outgoing migrants, leaving Cambodia for employment in Thailand (n=2,499) and the second group of incoming migrants, returning from employment (n=623) in Thailand. Two different survey tools were designed to capture the most accurate information possible for both target groups. The findings serve to identify migration patterns as well as identify common challenges and vulnerabilities and can be used to better inform policy and programming for the protection and assistance of migrant workers.
The results indicate that migration between Cambodia and Thailand is cyclical; many migrants that had previously worked in Thailand are compelled to return to Thailand for further employment. The main findings of the report show that the information levels and expectations of incoming migrants are for the most part in line with the work experiences and impressions of outgoing migrants.