OERC hosts visiting researcher, Thanarat Chotikasathian

I am a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), where I focus on policy-oriented studies in applied econometrics, labor economics, energy economics, and natural resource economics. I hold a master’s degree in economics (International Program) from Thammasat University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kasetsart University.

At TDRI, I have contributed to a range of projects addressing key socio-economic challenges in Thailand, including studies on labor markets, workforce participation in the post-COVID era, and the challenges of an aging society in Thailand. I have also contributed to research on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and migrant workers’ access to employment and healthcare.

I have presented my work at regional and international conferences, including the Federation of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Associations (FAEA) Conference and the Research Institutes Network (RIN) Workshop Series. Through these experiences, I continue to develop my expertise in quantitative analysis and remain committed to using evidence-based research to inform policy.

I first collaborated with Dr. Joshua Hawley on a research project examining the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. Most recently, we co-organized a training workshop on data linkage methods for the National Statistical Office of Thailand (NSO), based on technical documentation that I prepared.

Following this collaboration, Dr. Hawley kindly invited me to join the Ohio Education Research Center as a visiting researcher. At the OERC, I am contributing to a study titled “Modeling School-to-Work Transitions Using Linked Panel Data from Thailand, 2012-2024.” This project builds upon our previous work with Thailand’s Labour Force Survey rotation-group panels.

This experience has given me an invaluable opportunity to deepen my research skills, collaborate internationally, and explore how evidence-based insights can help inform education and workforce development.

I began my research journey in economics at Kasetsart University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in economics. I continued my studies at Thammasat University, where I completed a master’s degree in economics (International Program). I developed a strong interest in quantitative economics, especially in econometrics and the tools used to analyze real-world data.

At the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Nuttanan Wichitaksorn, an expert in analytics and statistics. Under his guidance, I deepened my skills in advanced econometric methods and research techniques. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career in research, as I came to appreciate how evidence-based analysis can provide valuable insights to support policies.

I have really enjoyed the lively atmosphere on the OSU campus, and I was surprised to see the little delivery robots moving around. I also had the chance to try American food and experience a new style of professional meetings here. Dr. Hawley kindly took me to my first baseball game, and I also had the chance to play golf while staying in Columbus. These moments were very special for me and gave me experiences I could not find anywhere else.