This paper reviews the main characteristics of migration data for movements
into and out of Thailand. It considers only international migration and it
covers the following areas: 1) who collects and disseminates international
migration data for Thailand; 2) what sorts of data are available; and 3) what
are the major characteristics of these data. It is designed as a guide for persons
using Thai migration data to help them interpret these data more clearly. The
Thai government is the main collector and distributor of Thailand’s international
migration data, particularly the Ministry of Interior and the Central
Statistical Office (administrators of the national population census). Other
organizations such as academic research centers, non-governmental organizations,
and foreign governments collect and disseminate Thai migration
data on a smaller scale. The paper concludes with some brief suggestions
about how to improve migration data collection and dissemination in
Thailand.