Migration and nutrition in Thailand

The consumption frequencies of different food items of migrants and settled families were investigated by the interview method. Additionally, demographic and socioeconomic data were collected. In contrast to many other studies, the Thai migrants investigated here showed an increase in consumption frequencies for many food items and they consumed a greater variety of foods after migration. This occurred in spite of a shift from subsistence economy (rice growing) to cash crop production (maize) immediately after migration. However, they could not attain the consumption frequencies of permanent settlers who live in the rich Central Plain of Thailand.