• The Southeast Asian review
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.77-115
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• 2017

This study examines how a Burmese migrant clinic in a Thai border town cares for migrant patients and activates cross-border health care mobility. Established in 1989, the clinic has developed its capacity and serves as a prominent healthcare institution across the border. Despite its illegality, Thai authorities recognize its importance and collaborate with the clinic. The study reveals that collaborations with various partners play important roles in the constitution of the clinic. Unlike existing literature on the health of migrants, which concerns structural constraints, the study emphasizes migrants' agency in creating their own health care institution through collective partnerships, shedding light on the cross-border health care mobility of underprivileged patients. The legitimate presence of the migrant clinic in the border town mediates and strengthens their transnational mobility across the border. Partnerships with various individuals and organizations have empowered the clinic to undertake a unique role in the border society.