Migration flows from and into Thailand are shaped by the country's strategies for economic development and other government policies. Numerous theories of international migration, as well as recent experience, imply that levels of migration to Thailand will increase and that many migrants will wish to stay for a long period or permanently. Because Thailand has not explicitly incorporated international migration into its economic and social development planning, its migration policies are often inconsistent with other development goals. The government should strive for policy coherence by conducting a careful analysis of the future demand for and impacts of international migration and by aligning its migration policies with national objectives. For this process to be effective, a public dialogue concerning international migration should be initiated.
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