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Irregular Nayu Workers in Tom Yam Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur Suttiporn Bunmak University of Wollongong

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Irregular Nayu Workers in Tom Yam Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur Suttiporn Bunmak University of Wollongong University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2010 Migrant networks in Thailand and Malaysia: irregular Nayu workers in Tom Yam restaurants in Kuala Lumpur Suttiporn Bunmak University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Bunmak, Suttiporn, Migrant networks in Thailand and Malaysia: irregular Nayu workers in Tom Yam restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Social Science, Media and Communication and Centre for Asia Pacific ocS ial Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), University of Wollongong, 2010. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3317 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Migrant Networks in Thailand and Malaysia: Irregular Nayu Workers in Tom Yam Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY from THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by SUTTIPORN BUNMAK BA (Community Development) Mahasarakham University MA (Social Development) National Institute of Development Administration School of Social Science, Media and Communication and Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), Faculty of Arts 2010 i CERTIFICATION I, Suttiporn Bunmak, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the School of Social Science, Media and Communication and Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Suttiporn Bunmak 30 July 2010 i ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Certification ................................................................................................................. i Table of contents ........................................................................................................ ii List of figures ............................................................................................................. vi List of tables ............................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations and acronyms .................................................................................. vii Lexicon: Malay and Thai terms ............................................................................. viii Abstract ….. ............................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1. 1 Reviewing the Literature on Thai Migration ........................................................ 2 1. 2 Migrant Network Analysis .................................................................................... 6 1. 3 The Research Objective ...................................................................................... 10 1. 4 Conceptualizing Migrant Networks .................................................................... 11 1. 5 Defining Irregular Migrant Workers ................................................................... 12 1. 6 Situating Myself .................................................................................................. 13 1. 7 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 14 1.7.1 Purposive and Snowball Sampling .......................................................... 15 1.7.2 Contacting Respondents .......................................................................... 18 1.7.3 In-depth Interviews ................................................................................. 27 1.7.4 Observation ............................................................................................. 33 1.7.5 Data Analysis .......................................................................................... 34 1. 8 The Limitations of This Research ....................................................................... 34 1. 9 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................... 38 2. 1 Studies of Thai Migrant Workers in East and Southeast Asia ............................ 39 2. 2 Studies of Malaysia as a Destination Country .................................................... 44 2.2.1 The Legal Dimensions of Foreign Workers in Malaysia ........................ 46 2.2.2 The Evolution of Malaysia’s Immigration Policy on Foreign Workers ... 49 2.2.2 The Migrant Situation ............................................................................. 63 2. 3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 64 ii iii Chapter 3: The Study Area ................................................................................... 66 3. 1 The Location ....................................................................................................... 66 3. 2 A Brief History of the Far Southern Provinces of Thailand and the Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia .................................................................................... 71 3. 3 The Social and Cultural Context of the Border Area .......................................... 76 3.3.1 Religion ................................................................................................... 76 3.3.2 Ethnicity .................................................................................................. 77 3. 4 Education ............................................................................................................ 81 3. 5 The Economy ...................................................................................................... 83 3. 6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 85 Chapter 4: Travelling to Malaysia ........................................................................ 87 4. 1 The Formal Legal Channels of Emigration......................................................... 88 4.1.1 Labour Recruitment Regulation from the Thai Perspective.................... 88 4.1.2 Labour Recruitment Regulation from the Malaysian Perspective .......... 94 4. 2 The Informal Irregular Channels of Migration ................................................... 96 4.2.1 The Social Visit Visa............................................................................... 98 4.2.2 The Border Pass ...................................................................................... 99 4.2.3 Travelling without Official Documents ................................................ 101 4.2.4 Re-crossing the Border .......................................................................... 102 4.2.5 Overstaying ........................................................................................... 106 4. 3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 110 Chapter 5: Tom Yam Restaurants, Migrant Networks and The Migration Process ........ ............................................................................................................ 111 5. 1 Tom Yam Restaurants in Malaysia ................................................................... 112 5. 2 Tom Yam Food ................................................................................................. 115 5. 3 Working in Tom Yam Restaurants ................................................................... 116 5.3.1 Job Positions in Tom Yam Restaurants................................................. 119 5. 4 The Social Relations of Migrant Networks ...................................................... 125 5.4.1 Migrant Networks and the Family ........................................................ 126 5.4.2 Migrant Networks and Friends .............................................................. 129 5.4.3 Migrant Networks and the Villages ...................................................... 131 5. 5 Social Ties in Malaysia ..................................................................................... 134 5.5.1 Migrant Networks in the Workplace ..................................................... 136 iii iv 5.5.2 Socialising with Workmates.................................................................. 138 5.5.3 Customers and People from Home........................................................ 139 5.5.4 Networks and Travellers ....................................................................... 141 5. 6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 143 Chapter 6: The Roles of Migrant Networks ...................................................... 145 6. 1 The Positive Roles of Migrant Networks .......................................................... 145 6.1.1 The Risks of Receiving Information ..................................................... 146 6.1.2 Decision Making ..................................................................................
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