Policy recommendations for workers returning to their hometowns: A case study of Phitsanulok province, Thailand

Abstract

This article examines the socio-economic impacts and experiences of the workers who returned home in Phitsanulok province during the COVID-19 crisis in Thailand from 2021 to 2022. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative research involving 385 workers returning home in nine districts of Phitsanulok province, as well as qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 18 workers. The analysis of the collected data incorporates the concepts of social mobility and public policy. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of the workers who returned home, mainly aged between 23–40 years, chose to return to their hometowns for a period exceeding 12 months. These individuals were primarily recent graduates and low-skilled workers employed in the service and industrial sectors. They mostly belonged to the lower middle class, with an average monthly income ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 baht. The study highlights the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including income reduction, increased household debt, and a decline in overall quality of life. As a result, the research puts forth policy recommendations aimed at the state welfare policy, advocating for the establishment of an income welfare system, the promotion of local industry development to foster employment opportunities, the facilitation of reskilling and upskilling initiatives aligned with 21st-century occupations, and the decentralization of power to local authorities to enhance the quality of life and public services for the local population.