1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Changing livelihoods of Kayan 'long-neck' women refugees : a case study of Huay Pu Keng Village, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

AuthorCecil Khin
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.GD-08-02
Subject(s)Women refugees--Thailand--Mae Hong Son
Tribes--Thailand--Mae Hong Son

NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. GD-08-02
AbstractAmong 135 ethnic groups in Burma, Kayan so called long neck people is one of the ethnic minority groups. For the past two decades, hundreds of Kayan people fled Burma and seek refuge in Thailand because of the war atrocities in their home land. Focusing on Huay Pu Keng Village, this research aims to investigate the Kayan long-neck women’s changing livelihood in the context of resettlement. Interviewed with 50 women, it is found that their livelihood have changed after resettlement to Thailand as they have no opportunities to practice their former employment such as agriculture and related activities. The survey shows that the weaving which has become main livelihood at present cannot contribute sufficiently for household expenditure. It has been a sheer struggle for them to sustain their livelihoods and improve the conditions of their lives in a foreign country. In addition, they encountered many difficulties such as lack of basis human rights related to citizenship status, such as, educational support, proper health care, and mobility restriction. The recommendations are given to Thai government, NGOs and Burmese authorities in order to improve Kayan women’s lives and conditions and reduce their poverty during living in Thailand.
Year2008
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-08-02
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Development and Sustainability (DDS)
Academic Program/FoSGender and Development Studies (GD)
Chairperson(s)Doneys, Philippe;
Examination Committee(s)Kusakabe, Kyoko;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;
Scholarship Donor(s)Katholischer Akademischer Auslander-Dienst (KAAD), Germany;
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008


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