Factors and reasons of migration in Tambon Bannang Sata during the time of conflict

Abstract

This study aims to find out the reasons and factors of migration in Tambon Bannang Sata, one of the most violence-affected zones with high mobility rate, since the recurrence of violence in the south in 2004, and how those reasons and factors differ between Muslims and Buddhists. Interview of all categories of migration were carried out including in-migration, out-migration and non-migration. Human security is used as a framework for data collection and analysis. It is found that people moved in and out of Tambon Bannang Sata with many reasons which could be categorized into three mains reasons: family matters, fear and wants. Family factors were the biggest influence for people whether to move in, move out, or to stay in the area. In addition, job opportunity and financial wellbeing, which were classified as “want”, were other the prime reasons for all group. Study found that not as many respondents moved because of fear even they did fear living in the area. There were only two respondents who move merely because of fear, one Buddhist who feared insurgency and another Muslim who feared authority’s treatment. This study also found that fear, direct experience of the violence, and number of migrations in the area are not necessarily correlated. Fear correlates with the feeling of being disconnected and alienated from the Muslim community. Moreover, despite being fear, people might not find a reason to move because they are supported by other factors which shows a balance between fear and want. Reasons of out-migrant for not moving from the area were similar to other groups but they valued hometown, community and culture much more heavily.