In northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai province, the Migrant Assistance Program (MAP) Foundation has long been a voice for those too often left unheard — migrant workers from neighboring Myanmar.

On Oct. 17, participants of the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ 27th General Council divided into small groups to visit organizations across Chiang Mai, each highlighting a different aspect of community and social engagement in Thailand.

Among them was the Migrant Assistance Program (MAP) Foundation, a grassroots nongovernmental organization that works to empower migrant communities from Myanmar living and working in Thailand. Other visits included the Royal Initiative Project (Huey Hong Krai), a center for agricultural, forestry, and environmental research and development in the region; the Interreligious Network—bringing together Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders; and Wat Don Chan Orphan Help Center, which provides care and education for vulnerable children.

Delegates also visited the Therapeutic Community North Thailand (House of Compassion), the Chiang Mai Provincial Interreligious Coordinating Council, and the Photiyalai Foundation, a youth-focused NGO supporting education and empowerment.

The visits shed light on the varied ways local groups are addressing issues of human dignity, social welfare, and interfaith cooperation—while organizations like MAP continue to advocate for the rights and recognition of migrant workers who form the backbone of Thailand’s labor force.

“Why migrate from Myanmar to Thailand?” asked Brahm Press, director of the grassroots MAP Foundation. “Economic opportunity and escape from conflict are the main reasons. These are the pull factors.”

More than 10% of Thailand’s labor force consists of migrants, a number that continues to rise. In some industries, Press said, that figure is much higher.

“In construction and fishing, migrants make up nearly 80% of the labor force,” he said. “And they send a significant amount of money home — about one trillion dollars is remitted back to Myanmar.”

Push and Pull

But not all reasons to migrate are hopeful. Press said Thailand’s migrant policy limits workers to unskilled sectors such as construction, agriculture, domestic work, cleaning, service, garment and seafood industries.

Many of these jobs are sharply divided along gender lines. “On boats, it’s all men,” Press said. “On the shore, it’s mostly women — sorting, peeling, cleaning seafood.”

He added that occupational safety and health are rarely priorities for employers.

Policy and Perception

Thailand’s migration framework, Press explained, is rooted in national security — not economic or human rights considerations.

“What this means is that policy treats migrants as a threat to be contained,” he said. “It doesn’t recognize their contribution to the economy or their essential human rights.”

Current policies focus on arrest, deportation and job restrictions reserved for Thai citizens. “It’s a short-term approach,” Press said. “There’s no long-term vision.”

As a result, many migrants rely on brokers — unregulated agents who often overcharge for legal paperwork and registration. “A lot of them are relatives of immigration officials,” he added.

Research by the Migrant Working Group found that 93% of migrant workers could not complete registration on their own, relying instead on employers or brokers. Seventy-three percent, Press said, didn’t even know how much they paid because fees were deducted from their wages.

Children and Women Bear the Burden

Many migrant families bring their children to Thailand or leave them behind in Myanmar. Of roughly 375,000 migrant children living in Thailand, 61% are not enrolled in school, Press said.

“Boys usually get priority for education — though that may be changing,” he noted.

Unplanned pregnancies remain high, and with limited access to childcare, children often accompany their parents to work. “Either the kids are left alone or taken into the fields,” Press said.

Migrant women face their own pressures. “Many are the breadwinners for families back home,” he said.

Empowerment Through Rights

MAP’s mission is to empower migrants by teaching them about their rights — and how to claim them. The foundation’s four core programs are Labor Rights for All, Rights for All, Community Health and Empowerment, and MAP Multimedia.

“We provide information about migrant policies, labor laws, social protections, and occupational safety and health,” Press said. “We help with labor complaints and build capacity for advocacy.”

MAP also assists in legal cases, policy advocacy, and community outreach through radio programs and women’s exchange initiatives.

From labor rights workshops to health referrals, MAP’s work aims to transform how Thai society views migrant labor — from exploitation to equality.

“We’re trying to help people realize their full rights,” Press said. “But it’s difficult. We’re on one side, and it feels like others are on the other. The challenge is getting people to see your perspective.”