Intergenerational Social Capital and Well-Being: Myanmar Migrants’ Practices and Perspectives in Thailand’s Ageing Society
摘要
Thailand faces demographic challenges approaching super-aged society status while hosting over two million Myanmar migrants. This study examines how Myanmar migrants’ intergenerational social capital contributes to addressing Thailand’s ageing society challenges while enhancing their own integration. Drawing on Bourdieu’s (Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education, Greenwood, 1986) framework, this research focuses on Mahachai in Samut Sakhon Province, analysing networks of trust, reciprocity, and shared support across generational divides. Field observations reveal Myanmar migrants create sophisticated support structures through care provision, economic transfers, knowledge sharing, and psychological support via educational initiatives at Buddhist temples, community-based healthcare programs including Migrant Health Volunteers, and mentorship systems. However, structural barriers persist, particularly social security exclusion for migrants aged 55+ despite decades of contributions. The study proposes multi-level policy recommendations: community empowerment through institutionalised Migrant Health Volunteer programs, national social security reform extending retirement age limits, and regional integration within the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing framework. This research demonstrates that leveraging migrant social capital offers innovative pathways for constructing equitable societies amidst demographic transformation.