PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF ILLEGAL MIGRANT WORKERS IN KHON KAEN PROVINCE: THE PERSPECTIVE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the measures to prevent and suppress illegal migrant workers in Khon Kaen province. Including issues and obstacles during operation of prevention and suppression and in order to suggest solutions to problem of illegal immigration of foreign workers in Khon Kaen province. The study, using qualitative research methods, the data from documents of immigration, textbooks, research and related documents. Proceeding the research by conducting in-depth interviews of 3 departments, Khon Kaen Immigration Police department, Khon Kaen Labor Office and Khon Kaen Internal Security Operations Division, 6 government officials, method of this research was question about prevent and suppress illegal migrant workers in Khon Kaen province and analyzed by a descriptive description.

          The study found that the government agencies in Khon Kaen who were responsible for preventing and suppressing illegal smuggling had a working process integrated together, using various measures to prevent and suppress the illegal migrant workers by the preventing measures consisting of ID checking, providing knowledge of employment to employers, publicizing about employment information and the suppression measures were investigations, arrests and prosecutions, including the deportation of migrant workers. In addition, the results of the study indicated the problems that found in the process of prevention and suppression of smuggling were 1) Thai landscape is favorable for smuggling because it’s a natural border and it’s difficult to control and examination. 2) Caused by carelessness and selfishness of entrepreneurs who still choose to use illegal migrant workers as a way to reduce their own business costs. 3) Lack of legal knowledge and understanding of both the entrepreneurs and the foreign workers in the process for registration as a legal alien worker. 4) Insufficient budget for the performance of duties. 5) The illegal re-entry of illegal migrant workers who had been arrested, prosecuted and being pushed back to their country. 5) Lack of cooperation from the migrant worker’s home country to consider or screen people before they go outside to another country