The Consequences and Meanings of Enclaves and Migrant Networks for Origin Communities in Nang Rong

Daniel Parker, Pennsylvania State University
Sara Curran, University of Washington

Social networks and migrant enclaves are both important in migration as they help to inform and ease human movement. The relationship between migration networks and enclaves has not been fully explored, nor has the influence of both been fully observed in places of origin. Taking advantage of unique qualitative data from Nang Rong, Thailand, this study interrogates the results of 40 village-based group interviews to uncover how enclave and network interact in explaining the mechanisms that drive varying patterns and meanings about migration. Despite a general prevalence of migration in the Nang Rong region of Thailand, not all migrants live in or form enclaves. This despite a common fear of being cheated during migration, something against which a strong network or enclave might protect. We find that within villages that create enclaves there is greater variety of social network types. Our findings suggest that social cohesiveness within villages is associated with different migrant enclave forms and networks.