About ARCM

Introduction
The Asian Research Center for Migration, based at the Institute of Asian Studies of Chulalongkorn University, is an internationally recognized center for excellence in social science research. Located on the historic campus of Chulalongkorn University in the heart of Bangkok, ARCM is an important contributor to the research output of Thailand’s oldest and most respected institution of higher learning, conducting critical policy-relevant research on international migration into, out of and within the South East Asian Region.

                            

History
ARCM was initially founded in 1987 as the Indochinese Refugee Information Center. The Center was established with the mission of conducting research on the flows of refugees from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries seeking asylum in Thailand. After the Indochinese refugee crisis had abated in Thailand and the refugee camps were closed under the Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Center began to conduct research on new refugee situations that had begun to emerge in South East Asia.

In recognition of this newly broadened research focus, the center was reconstituted as the Asian Research Center for Migration in 1995. Since that time, the thematic areas of ARCM’s research have expanded significantly and now include projects on all forms of international migration in South East Asia with a particular emphasis on Thailand as a sending, receiving and transit country.

                            

Research Activities
Through published research, statistical data, consultation and policy recommendations related to cross-border migration in the Southeast Asian Region, the objective of ARCM’s research activity is to support evidenced-based decision making by governments, international agencies, and private sector organizations on migration related issues. These activities are conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of committed researchers, including both Thai and international experts, with backgrounds in a diverse range of academic fields relevant to migration such as sociology, anthropology, political science, economics and law.