Paper Title
MIGRATION BENEFIT EXPECTATIONS OF RETURNING MIGRANTS WORKING ABROAD

Abstract
Abstract - This article focuses on migration benefit expectations and the factors related to migration benefit expectations of returning migrant workers from working abroad. A mixed methodology is employed with an individual unit of analysis. Qualitative data was collected by in-depth interviews with 31 key informants during December 2022 to January 2023, and quantitative data was collected by an interview schedule from 420 returning migrant workers living in Chaiyaphum Province, Northeast Thailand, during February 2023. The data was analyzed by content analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation coefficient. The findings indicated that most return migrant workers are male. The average age was 40.3 years. Over half had finished secondary school. Most of them had been working in east Asian nations for 3–5 years after migrating to work abroad. 46.4 percent of respondents had moderate migration benefit expectations, with the majority having expectations of economic and social benefits for returning migrant workers, and it was also found that age, the amount of investment to work abroad, monthly remittances amount, attitudes towards migration to work abroad, self-esteem, and household support were related to the migration benefit expectations of returning migrant workers from working abroad at a statistical significance level of 0.05, in accordance with the assumptions set. Consequently, it is important to encourage migrant workers to have positive attitudes about moving to work abroad. If they feel better about themselves, they will be more likely to expect the right things. Keywords - Benefit Expectations, Self-Esteem, Return Migration, Working Abroad