The objectives of this investigation were to examine important factors affecting state policy changes relating to Vietnamese refugees at the macro- and local levels, to assess perspectives on the relationship between the Vietnamese refugees who were seen as “outsiders” and local Thais who were seen as “insiders”, which varied according to times, and to compare the case study of the Vietnamese refugees in Phathalung province and other ethnic groups in other areas. It was found that the factors influencing the policies on the Vietnamese were under the context of relationship between the Thai and American governments. The variation of state policies due to centralization had direct effects on the refugees. Democratic governments provided more rights and freedom to the refugees than dictator governments. The refugees received job assistance from local people because their numbers were so few that they did not become a threat to local communities.