I am a self funded retiree. But I also have no family back home whatsoever and a chronic genetic blood disease.
I would never cast the first stone at this lad, because it could easily be me sitting behind that cardboard sign.
That said, why the *uck would you wear elephant pants?
He could of purchased a half decent looking outfit at one of the second hand shops, and for less than he paid for the elephant pants.
If he was not dressed like a drug addict from Pai his chances of donations from both expats and Thais would of increased significantly. Probably also treated better by Thai authorities.