Coup and conscription drive Myanmar students to Thailand

Political upheaval and military service in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup have led to an increase in the number of students coming to Thailand, highlighting both a growing “brain drain” from Myanmar and new opportunities for Thai universities, according to a research report released yesterday.

The study, “Student Migration from Myanmar to Thailand Following the 2021 Coup,” by researchers Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw and Dr Sirada Khemanitthathai, found that the number of Myanmar university students in Thailand has surged from about 2,800 before the coup to roughly 12,000 in 2024. The figure is expected to reach about 17,000 next year.

Most of the students have enrolled in private universities in and around Bangkok, marking a shift from earlier patterns when Myanmar students typically sought admission to elite public institutions.

The report, funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, describes the migration as a structural shift driven by a combination of political and educational factors following the 2021 Myanmar military coup. It identified three main waves of student migration.

The first wave occurred immediately after the coup as students fled political repression. A second wave followed as the domestic education system deteriorated, prompting students to seek continuity in their studies abroad. The latest wave has been driven by military conscription, pushing many young people to leave the country to avoid compulsory service.

The demographic profile of the migrants indicates a significant loss of human capital for Myanmar. Most of the students are between 18 and 29 years old, with strong academic records. Many left Myanmar’s prestigious universities and began their studies again as first-year students in Thailand, a phenomenon the report calls the “Restart Effect.”

Thailand has emerged as a preferred destination due to relatively affordable tuition fees and living costs, simplified visa procedures, and cultural proximity. Thai universities have also benefited from the influx, which helps offset declining domestic enrollment caused by falling birth rates.

Faculty members interviewed in the study said Myanmar students tend to demonstrate strong academic performance, solid English-language skills and high motivation, factors that have helped raise the international profile of some institutions.

However, the report also pointed out that many students face significant challenges while studying here. These include administrative requirements such as mandatory 90-day immigration reporting, restrictions that prohibit part-time work, language barriers with some university staff, and instances of discriminatory treatment by officials.

The findings also suggest that the migration could have long-term implications for Myanmar’s recovery. Only 12.7 per cent of surveyed students said they intend to return to Myanmar immediately after graduation.

Most plan either to remain in Thailand for employment or to use the country as a stepping stone to a third country.

Researchers warn that the trend could deepen Myanmar’s shortage of skilled workers in the years ahead.

The report recommends that Thai universities expand scholarship opportunities and improve the quality of international curricula to justify tuition costs.

It also urges the Thai government to modernize its visa system through full digitalization, reduce discriminatory practices and consider allowing international students to work part time.

Such measures, the study argues, could help Thailand attract and retain high-quality talent while strengthening its role as a regional education hub.