Internal Migrants in the Informal Economy: COVID-19 Lessons

Abstract

Thailand offers one of the most comprehensive health coverage schemes in South East Asia, but its citizens are still required to get medical care in their primary care unit, which are often located in provinces where their households are registered rather than where they live and work. Portability constraints on social protection benefits are just one of the many challenges that internal migrants face. Yet, their plight often receives less attention than that of international migrants, despite the fact that internal migration remains the most prevalent mode of human mobility.