Myanmar’s Middle Class Fuels Chiang Mai’s Economy

A new wave of middle-class migrants from Myanmar has boosted Chiang Mai’s economy, injecting capital into various service sectors, according to a research report by the Surin Pitsuwan Foundation.

The study by the Surin Pitsuwan Foundation finds that at least 6,000 Myanmar middle-class migrants had settled in Chiang Mai as of mid-2025, a sharp increase driven largely by political instability following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup and the enforcement of conscription laws in 2024.

Unlike earlier migration patterns dominated by low-skilled laborers, the new arrivals include educated professionals, entrepreneurs, students and digital workers. Many hold university degrees and bring both financial resources and international experience.