New Generation of Overseas Chinese: The Case Study of Chinese Immigrant in Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research was to attempt to understand the dynamics of migration and aim to describe new generation overseas Chinese’s living situation in Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Interviews were carried out in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai with 22 Chinese immigrants who came to settle down in Thailand after 1980.

            The conclusions of the research are: 1) The respondents of this research were from all regions of China. Most of them possessed cultural resources and/or economic resources 2) The dynamics that drove these respondents to migrate to Thailand were the gap of economic and social status that has rapidly stretched wider and the values judgments have gotten complex and diverse resulting in China’s reform and opening up. 3) The new generation overseas Chinese play a more important role in Chinese society of Thailand and able to compete with the old generation overseas Chinese. The new generation overseas Chinese who came later have more economic capital enabling them to compete with the new generation overseas Chinese who come earlier. 5) The Respondents in this research have been getting benefit from the economic growth of China and the increasing influence of China. Chineseness became social resource which helps them to move higher up the social status. Based on each person’s personal experience, social status and benefits, the respondents’ identity of China is not uniform.