Farang beggars

[doseiai]

In light of the photo of the begging farang...Isn't it specifically illegal in Thailand for foreigners to beg? I once saw a begging farang, same like this one, on a skytrain bridge, but the next day he wasn't there. I admit he was there for atleast a few hours before as I passed by twice. I have also heard the rumor that its begging is mafia controlled, so wouldn't they be jealous of someone taking their turf? I would assume the police would come and that would be the end of it. Any thoughts?

[Jromerz]

Not sure if its illegal for foreigners to be beggars, but either way there are many Cambodian and Burmese beggars in Thailand, Bangkok included. As for the man in the picture, I have seen him around the Rachaprasong and Nana/Asoke area a few times over the past half year or so. He was 6-7000 baht short then as well, so it makes you think whether its a profitable business.... hmmmmm .............

[mdechgan]

One would be suprised how much money these beggars make. The beggars in Chinatown make up to 30,000 per month. The one with no legs on the skateboard told me he had a slow day once because he didn't break 1,000 baht like he usually does. However would you sacrifice your legs for 30,000 baht a month? That's why even though they make a lot of money we usually still give them alms.

Mafia controlled, some beggars usually get dropped off in a van and picked up in a van. Usually they are kids. Now these are mafia controlled. Police to crack down on mafia? Please, are the Thai police able to do anything other than collect money from truck drivers and motorcycle riders?

There was a big story a few years ago about how this mafia gang kidnapped kids and surgically removed some body parts like arms a legs and forced them to beg. Anyone remember?

[qualtrough]

This guy has been the subject of a thread or two in another forum. Apparently he has been doing it for some time. I can only surmise that he must be paying off the local beat cops, etc. to keep from getting pickup and hauled to immigration. Prime begging locations require payoffs to the police and this is just one more lucrative operation they have going. In my opinion it would be far more helpful to contribute to a good charity than give to beggars.

[von Hirschhorn]

Poor beggar and look how he looks like almost at his end isn’t it. A Dutchmen thus, the so called Chinese of the West, trade is their business and trade it will be, shame on you.
Maybe the easy money lures him into this kind of acting, believe me if he really was running for that 6000, there were other ways. People who stranded in this country out of their quilt – the unexpected things happen – there’s always the embassy but fortunate they will not believe any story be told. Through the years they got wise. Street-wise, the same pavements were he runs the gauntlet.
Go to Amsterdam, leave the central station and for sure several times someone will approach you with a smooth talk. Begging in Holland is forbidden but with the attitude of a salesman this guys are more than a hinder, and by the way it’s only for satisfying their addiction on the forbidden sweets of live.

[jpatokal]

Originally Posted by von Hirschhorn

Maybe the easy money lures him into this kind of acting, believe me if he really was running for that 6000, there were other ways. People who stranded in this country out of their quilt – the unexpected things happen – there’s always the embassy but fortunate they will not believe any story be told. Through the years they got wise. Street-wise, the same pavements were he runs the gauntlet.

For the record -- an embassy will never, ever give you any money. If you show up and claim to have no money at all, they will try to put you in touch with your relatives or friends and arrange them to transfer the money. (The US Embassy even has a handy system that lets said relatives control exactly what the money is used for, so they can specify that it's for eg. a plane ticket.) If you're some sort of total loser who has managed to lose their money, family and friends, they may arrange a loan for you for a ticket, but it'll be at commercial rates plus some and you're probably looking at jail time if you don't pay back.

[von Hirschhorn]

Thanks for explaining some embassy rules in case someone might think after reading that they are always your best friend. Deliberataly I left that part out thinking that the fact that nothing comes for free must be well known.
Despite this you don't have to post yourself on the pavement with a silly and pathetic sign.
On the other hand even as far as in Chiang Mai this guy meanwhile is known for his practise among some of his country fellow man.

[The Enforcer!]

Originally Posted by mdechgan

Mafia controlled, some beggars usually get dropped off in a van and picked up in a van. Usually they are kids.

The ones at Sathorn/Narathiwatratchanakarin are .... three boys, one girl, two no higher than 1M. As I return early morning sometimes (3am) you can see them get into a van and drive off!

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

Originally Posted by jpatokal

For the record -- an embassy will never, ever give you any money. If you show up and claim to have no money at all, they will try to put you in touch with your relatives or friends and arrange them to transfer the money. (The US Embassy even has a handy system that lets said relatives control exactly what the money is used for, so they can specify that it's for eg. a plane ticket.) If you're some sort of total loser who has managed to lose their money, family and friends, they may arrange a loan for you for a ticket, but it'll be at commercial rates plus some and you're probably looking at jail time if you don't pay back.

I can endorse this. Over the past decade or so I have witnessed many a 'broke farang' attempt to get monies out of the British Embassy or the British Chamber of Commerce or even the British Club. For the genuine 'has lost everything' the British Embassy are good at making contact in the UK but there are a lot of freeloaders - trying to get monies to live here illegally.

The Enforcer!

[Stephen Cleary]

Having just arrived back from abroad, i lost contact with my very own blood-brother - told me later that he got himself in complete financial dire straits at one time.

He arrived at the embassy absolute broke and like what has been mentioned, they allowed him to contact relatives for a quick loan (collect calls only).

Pleading to the British Embassy officials that he was penniless, and in the meantime didn't even the baht for the bus home - the very generous officer gave him, literally gave him they didn't want it back, the huge sum of 200baht!

[von Hirschhorn]

Well see, have mercy with the honest ones among us.

[The Enforcer!]

Originally Posted by von Hirschhorn

Well see, have mercy with the honest ones among us.

Sadly for each honest one there a hundred dishonest ones.

The Enforcer!