Video: Beg-packing or just hitching? Foreigners with "no money" spark debate

[harrycallahan]

6 hours ago, jago25 said:

Hitchhiking's alright. 

In cuba, it's illegal not to offer a ride. I like that. How's about we find a way to do that everywhere. Wouldn't that be more efficient?

The hitchhiker isn't offering a ride, what's their punishment? 

[Time Traveller]

18 hours ago, keith101 said:

I believe that if they don't have enough money to support themselves while their here they should not come and i do understand some like to do it on the cheap so take buses .

YEs, those 3rd world peasants and refugees should not come to western nations either.

[BurgerGung]

The other day, a flat tire made me fear that I would have to flag down some bus / van / car to get a ride into the next town. Returning with a recovery vehicle to fetch the bike...

 

But a gas station attendant called a guy who came in a truck and replaced the inner tube. 10 minutes later, I was on my way.

 

Not all foreigners trying to hitch a ride want it for FREE. Maybe I should have tried waving a 500 THB note?

 

Took a 3rd class train ride from Bangkok to Nong Khai. Hell. Hard seats and a young Thai doing the man spread thing, touching for hours. But hey, it was less than 300 THB.

[BurgerGung]

13 hours ago, malibukid said:

i have been offered rides by Thai's when they have seen me with my cat in his carrier while waiting for a songthew.  very nice.

I've gotten lifts when walking in Udon Thani. By bikers and car drivers alike.

 

Once, in a village far away from Udon thani, the 2 song taews were doing transport runs. A government employee gave me a ride and refused payment.

[chicowoodduck]

I always offer them a ride....to the nearest police station.....just a bunch of bottom feeders.....get rid of them.....please...???

[oslooskar]

20 hours ago, sup3r1or said:

Thailand and a lot of other countries do not culturally get the idea of backpacking and hitchhiking. This is not the place to do they, they won't get it and they shouldn't. 

That's strange! I hitchhiked the Thai-Malay peninsula between Bangkok and Singapore three times (Twice going south and once going north) and hitched from Bangkok to Vientiane and back to Bangkok without a problem. I also hitchhiked most of the way from Europe to Thailand; except for a deck class ticket on an overnight steamer from Karachi to Bombay and flying from Calcutta to Bangkok. In those days you could only enter Burma by sea or air so hitchhiking through it was not an option.

 

Was I the only guy doing this in the 1960s? NOT A CHANCE! There were hundreds of Westerners with backpacks hitchhiking overland from Europe on their way to Australia just like me. In fact, the "Thai Song Greet Hotel", in Bangkok, my old home away from home, was full of Western backpackers as was the Sikh Temple in Singapore----------except the Sikh Temple was free. 

 

I should also add that the backpackers in those days were, as a general rule, a great bunch of guys and not in to the drug scene; they were adventures who wanted to see the world. The hemp-heads came later.

Edited September 12, 2018 by oslooskar

[josephbloggs]

19 hours ago, Artisi said:

Typical Thai comment, all farang are mobile ATM's, as it happens some people travel on very tight budgets as they are not loaded - so what's the big deal with hitch-hiking? 

Typical Artisi comment.  Once again slagging off an entire nation of people by picking out one comment and imagining in your warped little mind that all Thais said it and agree with it.  If you look at the original clip there are plenty of Thais defending them saying it's no big deal, backpacking is fine, hitchhiking is not unusual in the west, they are just trying to be frugal etc.

 

I bet you are one of those people who sees scams everywhere too.  I really don't understand how you can live in a place you clearly hate that is full of people you have zero respect for.

[josephbloggs]

9 hours ago, MaksimMislavsky said:

He actually said nothing negative about them at all. Just being slightly amazed and wondering if any car would ever take them.

Indeed, you beat me to it.   It's also very telling that the bitterest of people in this thread - the ones imaging all Thais are savages, they are out to get you, they are greedy, the cabbie is upset because he couldn't get a juicy fare out of them, etc etc blah blah - are the ones who live here but clearly haven't bothered to learn the language.   Easier to snipe at the culture and project your own insecurities and racism on to it than bother to try and embrace it or even learn a little about it.  

 

I have never hitched but several times here (in Bangkok) I have been given lifts without asking.  Once I was walking, a guy came out of his house to his car, asked me where I was going then offered to take me.  We chatted along the way, found out we had kids similar ages and he invited me to drop by and visit the next week.

 

Another time I was walking to my nearest train station (a 20 minute walk from my house but I like doing it sometimes) when it started to rain.  A passing motorbike stopped, asked me where I was going then told me to get on.  He dropped me at the station and wouldn't accept any payment.  

 

I have had plenty of other similar experiences.  

 

I have neighbours who routinely drop by with gifts - wine, fruit, food etc.  Guess what?  They want nothing in return.  This is typical of Thais.

 

 

 

[bermannor]

Trying to do it right out of downtown Bangkok ?.

They do not seem the sharpest knives in mother's kitchen drawer!

Edited September 13, 2018 by bermannor
Spelling

[gk10002000]

22 hours ago, worgeordie said:

People complain about anything now,in the 60's and 70's

I hitchhiked quite a lot, and nobody seen it as doing 

anything wrong, bit more dangerous in this day and age

but,things were simpler then.

regards Worgeordie

did my share of hitching and picking up while in college in Rhode Island.  We lived off campus as did many students and it was extremely common to pick up people on the way into or home from the University.  Met some nice people, even got some dates out of it.  1976-1980 we be talking here

[Kerryd]

Everyone always talks about how they used to hitchhike "back in the day" with no problems at all.

 

But you have to remember, now is not "back in the day" anymore ! Things have changed and it is nowhere near as easy, or safe, to hitchhike like it used to be "back in the day".

Society has changed, almost everywhere, and it's probably as dangerous, these days, to pick up a hitchhiker as it is to be a hitchhiker.

I hitched around a bit back in the mid-late '70s, when I was 14-17 (long story) and only had one creepy experience, but most of the time people were cool. I grew up after I turned 17 (long story) and started working for a living and I don't think I've ever hitched a ride since then. Lot of memories of sleeping beside the road, freezing my butt off, not bathing for days/weeks, being hungry more often than not.

Let us not forget that, to even get into this country, people are supposed to be able to show that they have "sufficient funds" for their holiday and people have been denied entry for not being able to prove they have those funds.

But then again, maybe these hitchhikers blew all their money in Bangkok in the first couple of days and still have a couple weeks to go on their trip but are too broke (now) to stay in Bangkok or pay to travel anywhere else.

My very first trip to Thailand (back in 1993) was just 10 days but by day 7 I was nearly broke. When I flew out on day 10, I had 35 baht to my name and was lucky that a kind stranger paid the "Airport Departure Tax" for me so that I could get on the plane ! (That was back in the days before the "internet" and ATMs). 


Never had to hitchhike anywhere on that trip but I did do a lot of walking (but I was still in the army so it wasn't a bad thing) !

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Typical Artisi comment.  Once again slagging off an entire nation of people by picking out one comment and imagining in your warped little mind that all Thais said it and agree with it.  If you look at the original clip there are plenty of Thais defending them saying it's no big deal, backpacking is fine, hitchhiking is not unusual in the west, they are just trying to be frugal etc.

 

I bet you are one of those people who sees scams everywhere too.  I really don't understand how you can live in a place you clearly hate that is full of people you have zero respect for.

Missed the cynicism did you, whoosh straight over the top - but never mind keep slagging off people based on one comment if you get your kicks that way. 

[HHTel]

Spent a lot of yesterday talking to my thai friends and family.  They all recognised the practice of hitchhiking although the translation was a whole sentence which I couldn't memorise.  However, the consensus was that lots of Thais do it although not as much as they used to.  Thais have, apparently,  been doing it for years.  They didn't understand 'the thumb'.  They said they just hold up their arm.

[mommysboy]

Top to bottom, Thais have a stubborn belief that farangs have a lot of money.  I've seen this attitude even in Thai university teachers and managers.  Thus, many act with outrage when they see a farang trying to get something for nothing.

 

The problem seems to be the taxi driver is assuming they want a lift from him.

 

Edited September 13, 2018 by mommysboy

[jerome1976]

Well, it is difficult to mix local cultural mind thinking and what can be practice all over the world.

Young people who can not be supported by familly want to be free to get a cultural experience and in this world, without money, you need to find luck.

Thailand people (who, most of the time are very good people) said many time: "chock dii" or "mai pen arai". Ok, but is it true also for foreigners ? I mean, what Siddarta Gautama life was talking about ? Here in Thailand, culture is a lot linked with Teravada Buddhism. This culture doesn't talk about money, but about live together and respect life, speak about to never speak bad, never judge strongly.

So the question is: "This people who speak strongly with poor foreigners who just search for luck... are they buddhist ? Do they really follow there own culture ? If yes, why do they speak like that ? No one has the obligation to stop and bring them some kilometers on the way they go... no one. Everybody is free to accept to help a little bit or not at all.

I think there, in Thailand, same than everywhere in other contries, there is people who born with uge money and people who are poor. There is also good people and people who speak and think very bad (money or not). And also, there is kind of mafia.

Finally, what i thinking is that speak about little people who try to discover Thailand with luck and humility are not the problem there. At the same time we are speaking about that, we are no more speaking about important things who can be better fr Thailand economy.

It is definitely a subject for people who doesn't want to have deep reflection.

"chock dii"

Phom chop koun Thai djai diii.

[essox essox]

23 hours ago, sup3r1or said:

Thailand and a lot of other countries do not culturally get the idea of backpacking and hitchhiking. This is not the place to do they, they won't get it and they shouldn't. 

why not ??

It was a common thing many years ago in uk......it was seen as helping a person out to take the hitchhiker to as near as possible to where he wanted to go.

Artic drivers were good at giving people lifts....a means of the driver have in company for part of his journey !!!

[whaleboneman]

6 hours ago, harrycallahan said:

The hitchhiker isn't offering a ride, what's their punishment? 

Actually, many of the female hitchhikers are offering "rides".

[whaleboneman]

6 hours ago, BurgerGung said:

The other day, a flat tire made me fear that I would have to flag down some bus / van / car to get a ride into the next town. Returning with a recovery vehicle to fetch the bike...

 

But a gas station attendant called a guy who came in a truck and replaced the inner tube. 10 minutes later, I was on my way.

 

Not all foreigners trying to hitch a ride want it for FREE. Maybe I should have tried waving a 500 THB note?

 

Took a 3rd class train ride from Bangkok to Nong Khai. Hell. Hard seats and a young Thai doing the man spread thing, touching for hours. But hey, it was less than 300 THB.

And how much was the train?

[whaleboneman]

For young people, traveling around the world and experiencing other countries is the best education they'll ever get. Hitchhiking is just a way to prolong the trip - pretty sure they've got money - they just would rather spend it on food and accommodation rather than transport.

If everyone could have this type of experience in their younger years, the world would be a much better place.

[Cranky]

Wow, backpackers trying to save a few quid by hitch hiking, what a revelation, what great initiative to think of something so novel as a way of getting around on the cheap.

[Skallywag]

I notice that one guy and the girl have their waist belts unfastened, this will lead quite soon to sore backs - there is a reason they have waist belts on large heavy packs.... 

[richard_smith237]

11 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

I would help anyone if in desperate need, young or old. 

 

Let me put it this way to you; if I were short of money and friends invited me out to a bar for some drinks with them, and couldn`t afford to pay my way and reciprocate in paying for my share of drinks, I would make my excuses and not go. Have my pride.

 

I would also not visit foreign countries without being able to afford it. Pure and simple, don`t have the money, can`t have, tough titties.

 

I quite agree....  I for one would never consider hitch-hiking in Asia and have when the cost of travel is already so cheap. I have only ever hitch-hiked once out of pure necessity when I was a student. However, I am not of the same mindset of the youngsters who wish to hitch-hike.

 

Has anyone never watched the Amazing race?...  These guys hitch-hiking may simply be challenging themselves to get across Thailand by hitch-hiking or without paying, or the may simply be keeping costs down to their advantage wherever they can while traveling on a budget... I really don't see anything wrong with this. 

 

Its not begging... In the West we also have a name for it when the government force is to do it... its called Car-Pooling... OK a little different - but my point is there... its about sharing a ride, or someone giving something (a ride) to someone else that doesn't cost them a thing - its not begging, its not beg-packing...

 

 

 

[sydneyjed]

Copped two young backpackers with a similar cardboard sign begging for money in between Sofitel and Bush Garden on Sukhumvit the week before last..Probably pissed all their money away and trying their luck.Not really the country to be down and out and destitute in and totally irresponsible!

[sambum]

On 9/12/2018 at 9:45 AM, RotMahKid said:

Hitchhiking is very normal to do in western countries, it can bring you free to far destinations. I also did many times when I was younger and it does not mean " No Money ", because if I did not get a ride, I took the train or other transportation.

But not as popular to do now as it once was due to the inherent dangers these days. Also, I bet your "other transportation" to far destinations did not include taxis! 

[mauGR1]

1 hour ago, weri said:

Am I right in the believe that one must have a certain amount of money to enter into Thailand?? How come that there are those back-beggars with no money in Thailand?? Shouldn't immigration check if they have enough money and if not refuse entry?? 

For what we know they could have more money than you, and hitch-hiking just for the fun of it.

[DJ54]

I know some of you will remember this sticker.....had one on the dash 

of my old ford econoline van 

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, RicUSA said:

I notice that one guy and the girl have their waist belts unfastened, this will lead quite soon to sore backs - there is a reason they have waist belts on large heavy packs.... 

did you check footwear and underwear as well, don't want sore blistered feet and sweat rash , might ruin their holidays.

[cyberfarang]

8 hours ago, Kerryd said:

Everyone always talks about how they used to hitchhike "back in the day" with no problems at all.

 

But you have to remember, now is not "back in the day" anymore ! Things have changed and it is nowhere near as easy, or safe, to hitchhike like it used to be "back in the day".

Society has changed, almost everywhere, and it's probably as dangerous, these days, to pick up a hitchhiker as it is to be a hitchhiker.

I hitched around a bit back in the mid-late '70s, when I was 14-17 (long story) and only had one creepy experience, but most of the time people were cool. I grew up after I turned 17 (long story) and started working for a living and I don't think I've ever hitched a ride since then. Lot of memories of sleeping beside the road, freezing my butt off, not bathing for days/weeks, being hungry more often than not.

Let us not forget that, to even get into this country, people are supposed to be able to show that they have "sufficient funds" for their holiday and people have been denied entry for not being able to prove they have those funds.

But then again, maybe these hitchhikers blew all their money in Bangkok in the first couple of days and still have a couple weeks to go on their trip but are too broke (now) to stay in Bangkok or pay to travel anywhere else.

My very first trip to Thailand (back in 1993) was just 10 days but by day 7 I was nearly broke. When I flew out on day 10, I had 35 baht to my name and was lucky that a kind stranger paid the "Airport Departure Tax" for me so that I could get on the plane ! (That was back in the days before the "internet" and ATMs). 


Never had to hitchhike anywhere on that trip but I did do a lot of walking (but I was still in the army so it wasn't a bad thing) !

Lets also take into consideration that back in the old days not so many people had their own transport. I can remember as a kid, my parents took buses and trains everywhere. In our whole family only my grandad had a car. So at night hitch hikers were quite a common sight, especially in the outer rural areas. But as you say; sadly times have changed and these days it`s too risky picking up strangers along the road, also considering these beg packers can rent motorbikes for about 150 baht per day. No excuses. 

[sambum]

6 hours ago, whaleboneman said:

For young people, traveling around the world and experiencing other countries is the best education they'll ever get. Hitchhiking is just a way to prolong the trip - pretty sure they've got money - they just would rather spend it on food and accommodation rather than transport.

If everyone could have this type of experience in their younger years, the world would be a much better place.

"Could" being the key word - in most (Western) countries these days it's just too dangerous to risk it. 

[sambum]

30 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

Lets also take into consideration that back in the old days not so many people had their own transport. I can remember as a kid, my parents took buses and trains everywhere. In our whole family only my grandad had a car. So at night hitch hikers were quite a common sight, especially in the outer rural areas. But as you say; sadly times have changed and these days it`s too risky picking up strangers along the road, also considering these beg packers can rent motorbikes for about 150 baht per day. No excuses. 

"No excuses"  No license?

Also if they are travelling from A to B how do they get the bike back to A?

Edited September 13, 2018 by sambum