Health Behaviours and Experiences With Health Care Systems Among Thai Immigrants: A Scoping Review

The health behaviours and health care experiences of Thai immigrants are relevant in the context of growing global migration, as they navigate health care systems across their origin and host countries. While numerous studies have examined these issues, existing evidence remains fragmented across countries, study designs, and population subgroups, limiting understanding of how Thai immigrants manage their health and engage with health care systems. This scoping review aimed to identify, categorise, and summarise existing knowledge on Thai immigrants’ health behaviours and health care experiences. A comprehensive search of academic and grey literature was conducted in March 2025, yielding 54 studies. Five key themes were identified, namely preventive health behaviours, health-risk behaviours, health-seeking behaviours, cultural and emotional responses, and navigating health care systems. Across these themes, Thai immigrants face barriers related to cultural norms, language barriers, socioeconomic constraints, and psychosocial stressors. These barriers influence their participation in preventive care, responses to illness, and interactions with health care services. Difficulties in navigating complex health care systems and limited culturally appropriate support complicate access. However, existing evidence remains fragmented, particularly regarding older adults. This review provides an overview of current knowledge and highlights critical gaps to guide future research aimed at improving the understanding of Thai immigrants’ health needs.