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Foreign Man Found Begging With a Child in Phuket

Residents in Patong, Phuket, are urging authorities to take firm action after a foreign man was seen walking with his young son and begging for money from tourists. The incident, reported on 5 May 2026, has caused distress among locals and visitors, raising concerns about social issues in a major tourist area.

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The footage was shared by the Facebook page “Hod Jung Changwat Phuket”, showing the man holding his child’s hand while approaching tourists and tuk-tuk drivers for money along Thaweewong Road in Patong, Kathu district. The post stated that tuk-tuk drivers could no longer tolerate the situation and called on relevant agencies to act urgently, describing it as a growing social problem.

In the video, the foreign man is seen moving through the busy tourist area with the child, believed to be his son, directly asking passers-by for money. The behaviour has reportedly made many people in the area uncomfortable, including local workers and business operators who rely on tourism.

Following the clip’s circulation online, numerous social media users commented that they had witnessed similar behaviour on multiple occasions. Many expressed concern that such incidents reflect wider social challenges in key tourist destinations like Patong, which could affect the area’s long-term image if left unaddressed.

The reaction from the public has focused on the need for concrete enforcement and intervention by authorities. Locals are calling for stricter monitoring and appropriate measures to prevent similar cases, particularly where children are involved, due to potential welfare concerns.

The daily News reported that officials have not yet publicly outlined specific actions in response to this incident. However, the growing attention online is likely to increase pressure on relevant agencies to investigate and implement measures to manage the issue more effectively.

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 6 May 2026

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Autocan Advanced Member

Autocan

Member
39 minutes ago, sahibji said:

What nationality is the person who is seeing begging?

Israeli certainly. Begging sympathy and cash from others while seeming quite fit are giveaways. Confirmation will follow if you follow them and see them squatting on someone else's property at night and overhear them planning to attack the owner.

Feingeist Senior Member

Feingeist

Member

It looks like Phuket has hit a new low. What I don’t quite understand is that the comments only seem to focus on this man, but what about the child? Whether it’s his son or not, shouldn’t the authorities intervene immediately?

flaming dragon Gold Member

flaming dragon

Advanced Member
Just now, sahibji said:

What nationality is the person who is seeing begging?

The Thai man at the end said "Israel". Many Israelis left Israel when the latest shenanigans started and I'd wager that not all are independently wealthy. I can't tell one Middle Easterner from another but evidently the Thai man could.

Gecko123 Platinum Member

Gecko123

Advanced Member

Thai guy filming says "This Thailand, not Israel" at end of clip. Doubt Thai guy would have made this comment unless he had interacted with him before and asked him where he was from. When panhandling guy spots the guy filming, seems to be a flicker of recognition on his face, suggesting he casually recognized the guy. Panhandling guy also shows flicker of apprehension when he realizes he's being filmed.

Wuvu2 Gold Member

Wuvu2

Advanced Member

Bad strategy. That kid would be way more successful without Daddy in tow 🙄

Suetape Silver Member

Suetape

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, elektrified said:

How is that relevant?

I’m sure it is relevant to the authorities and the “ wondering” question is on a few of the minds on this thread.

golli Apprentice Member

golli

Member

Should have a return ticket to where ever he's from. Should be made to use it.

sikishrory Gold Member

sikishrory

Advanced Member

Literally organised networks of Asians from surrounding countries begging with babies in the sun all day and barely getting a second look from Thais.

Someone with White skin does it and all of a sudden "firm action" is needed.

Crazy.

Off Piste Silver Member

Off Piste

Advanced Member

I don't think the Thai commenting knows for sure the man is Israeli....He doesn't look Israeli imo. The way he's dressed doesn't lend me to believe he's Israeli, nor does his body language, hand gesture and of all the nationalities that visit the Kingdom, Israelis do and would support another fellow citizen in dire straights, so very unlikely to see one asking for money in the street....................

jcmj Gold Member

jcmj

Advanced Member

That is a job reserved for Thais and their neighbors, not white faced Falangs. I hope they catch him, give them a good meal and a 1 way ticket home never to return. Well blacklist the man. The kid is a poor pawn in this case. Kind of hard to do when they can’t control their own people and neighbors.

spidermike007 Star Member

spidermike007

Advanced Member

These days you never know if somebody is being sincere in their need when it comes to begging. I lived and worked in India for a couple of years and there were so many beggars there and the only effective way I found to deal with them was to carry around a little daypack filled with fruit, and when somebody would come begging I would offer them a piece of fruit, it was the great delineator.

Those that were truly hungry would accept the fruit with gratitude, and those that were professional beggars would look at me with the disdain and walk away. Busted!

Jonathan Swift Gold Member

Jonathan Swift

Advanced Member

Like you all know, nobody knows the backstory here. But it's so sad on so many levels to see this little boy having this example of parenting to live under. I hope he grows up OK.

BerndD Silver Member

BerndD

Advanced Member

Locals and tourists alike get upset about a foreigner begging with his child on the streets of Patong and fear for Patong's reputation, which is already ruined and characterized by drunk farangs, fights, stealing ladyboys, tourists copulating in public and much more, without even knowing anything about the background of the begging farang.

Maybe you should think about it better and maybe try to help or point out aid organizations.

Vlada Floric Advanced Member

Vlada Floric

Member

I don't hear the same outcry when Karen or Burmese kids of about 5 are sent begging into bars at all hours, selling flowers.

shackleton Platinum Member

shackleton

Advanced Member

Maybe the police should concentrate more on these sorts of problems they must be made aware of these things happening

Probably turning a blind eye to it as not worth the trouble to them no money in it

But not ideal to foreign tourists and the general public seeing this sort of thing in a supposed to be world class tourist resort

Brian Hud Rookie Member

Brian Hud

Member

Why hasn't he approached his Embassy?, if he is genuine his Embassy should help

Tim Othy Rookie Member

Tim Othy

Member
6 hours ago, Legal Lifeline said:

My thoughts as well

Very sad - and there but for the grace of God go you or me|?

Yes I was thinking about the backstory which could possibly excuse his actions , but its unlikely we will ever know.

StarOfLight Senior Member

StarOfLight

Member

My hope is they are either Russian or Ukrainian and trying to avoid the draft. Other than that they need to be sent back to their country.

Thailand has spent the last 30 years yakking about attracting high quality tourists and yet here we are.

StarOfLight Senior Member

StarOfLight

Member
47 minutes ago, Brian Hud said:

Why hasn't he approached his Embassy?, if he is genuine his Embassy should help

I've heard that some embassies will under some circumstances loan enough money for the individuals to get back home. As an American I wouldn't expect any assistance from my embassy. I never register for emergencies, I'm not on the email list. I wouldn't expect them to do any sort of evacuation unless the government's reputation is on the line

Dexxter Silver Member

Dexxter

Advanced Member
7 hours ago, Blueman1 said:

Probably RUSSIAN ??

Tuk-tuk driver in the video said "Thailand not Israel".

geisha Platinum Member

geisha

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, AdamTheFarang said:

How would a Thai know what nationality he is? I thought Thais were supposed to care for people who are having a hard time and not be Jew haters.

So you judge someone by their religion ! Begging is not allowed and the man should not be doing it. Why doesn’t he beg in his own country ? He was reported to be Israeli.

suspectdevice Senior Member

suspectdevice

Member
6 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Is a return ticket a requirement in order to enter Thailand?

Not a requirement but can be an issue. 🤔

Nick Carter icp Star Member

Nick Carter icp

Advanced Member

Need to find out his situation first .

Maybe his ATM card got eaten or he'd been robbed .

First find out why hes begging before condemning him

suspectdevice Senior Member

suspectdevice

Member

It's not the child the tuk tuk drivers are worried about, it's the competition for the tourist money that they don't like! 😂

Ralf001 Star Member

Ralf001

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, smew said:

every visa requires a bond of so much cash in a Thai bank

No bond has been lodged for my visa.

When did it become a requirement ?

JamesPhuket10 Gold Member

JamesPhuket10

Advanced Member
8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Is a return ticket a requirement in order to enter Thailand?

Not if you live here, I have no return ticket which is proof of my statement.

But even in the days when I visited here on holiday I was never asked to show a return ticked when I entered the country.

JamesPhuket10 Gold Member

JamesPhuket10

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Dexxter said:

Tuk-tuk driver in the video said "Thailand not Israel".

Most of the Russians here in Phuket are well presented and well off as far as I can see, they are no bother at all.

And to Thais we are all farangs anyway as all farangs are the same to many of them.

How would the Thai guy know the beggar is from Israel ?

georgegeorgia Diamond Member

georgegeorgia

Advanced Member

One must display empathy

Off Piste Silver Member

Off Piste

Advanced Member
7 minutes ago, Dexxter said:

Tuk-tuk driver in the video said "Thailand not Israel".

2 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Most of the Russians here in Phuket are well presented and well off as far as I can see, they are no bother at all.

And to Thais we are all farangs anyway as all farangs are the same to many of them.

How would the Thai guy know the beggar is from Israel ?

The tuk tuk or songtail type driver is drivelling, just looking to point a finger at whatever nationality isn't flavour of the month........The man with child prop certainly isn't Russian, more likely from Aleppo or similar region.......

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