Brain drain situation of Thai skilled workers: push-pull factors and intentions to return

Abstract

Brain Drain occurs when a country loses human capital with specialized skills or with higher education due to worker emigration. In Thailand, the brain drain index has risen in recent years. As the problem of migration of Thai skilled workers remains and becomes worse, it is necessary to investigate the factors that contribute to brain drain of highly trained Thai professionals. The push and pull factors of international migration are used to investigate what motivates skilled people to leave their home country (push factor) and what motivates skilled workers to stay in the destination country (pull factor). Furthermore, the study will further explore into the aspirations of highly skilled Thai migrants to return. This serves as a guideline for policymakers in the event of a reverse brain drain. Empirical findings show that push factors and socio-demographic characteristics have an insignificant impact on Thai migrants' inclination to stay abroad. Thailand's social, political, and economic difficulties have little influence on Thai migrants' decision to stay. Instead, Thai migrants place a greater focus on the pull component, notably the political factor (Brain drain). In order to persuade Thai skilled workers, young graduates, and well-educated people to return, a phenomenon known as "reverse brain drain". The study recommends governmental policies to improve economic, social, and political issues such as raising living standards, making welfare more accessible and generous, expanding infrastructure such as public transportation and a healthcare system, and enhancing educational quality. Importantly, governments must establish policies that promote human rights and improve the transparency and trustworthiness of the governing system. Additionally, political stability should be improved in order to continue executing the approach.