The region affected by the quake is traditionally an source of outward migrant workers. Labour migration will increase if local income earning opportunities cannot be quickly identified.

Surveys of Thai workers show a steady decline in their productivity, says Pracha Vasuprasat, an expert on migration at the International Labour Organisation.

In the last few years, however, the reverse has taken place: there has been a migration of labour back to the north-eastern coastal areas to well-paid jobs in the North Sea oil industry.