ABSTRACT
Descriptive epidemiology was applied to 1,000 Thai employee proposing to work abroad, during the period of February to April, 1987. 59.1% of the workers never traveled but another 40.9% experienced at least once. Mostly 92.5%, occupied within the age-group of 22-44, while the age-range was between 19-59. The male population was six times over the female, 72.4% married. Most of the worker (40.1%) lived in the North-east, rarely came from the South (0.6%). Agriculture (50.8%) was the common occupation. The previous average income was 8,794.66 Bahts per year. 92.3% of the destination was Saudi Arabia. Janpan, Iraq, Kuwait, Barhein and Singapore were respectively less popularity. Skilled labour (37.1%) was highly required for the male but house-wife (12%) for the females. The contract signed one year (28%) and two years (66%) for the period of employment. The monthly expected average income was 7,145.20 and 6,573.86 Bahts of the salary could be sent back home. Concerning the expense required from the agency, 30,000-40,000 Bahts was the sum (51.8%). Time spent for the arrangement (50.8%) was 1-4 months. 47.4% loaned from the bank, only 24.0% had their own financial support.