The impact of circular migration and remittances on relative household wealth in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of circular migration and remittances on relative household wealth using data from a longitudinal study conducted in the economically heterogenous Kanchanaburi province of Thailand. We estimated models of the effects of number of return migrants and remittances on four types of household assets in 2004, controlling for assets in 2000, household and village characteristics. Propensity weights were used to adjust for selection into migration and remittance categories. In general, the migration and remittance variables did not have strong effects on household assets in 2004. The strongest predictors of household assets in 2004 were household assets in 2000. Household characteristics such as education of members and members in non-agricultural activities also contributed to household assets. Village characteristics made only minor contributions.