Begpackers in Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

[SammyT]

I know there have been intermittent topics on this type of thing recently, but was out tonight in the CM Night Bazaar area and out the front of BK was some unkempt Farang backpacker with a sign out saying "Help me please for ticket home" with an accompanying tip jar.

 

I have a pic for greater effect, though I'm not sure where I would end up in terms of defamation/computer crimes act, but what an absolute <deleted> this guy is. Has enough money to travel to the Kingdom, but gets here, (presumably) spends all his money and now can't get home, so resorts to sitting amongst street vendors who live not far above the poverty line asking for money to fund his return travel. Now clearly he may have fallen victim to crime, but for mine, if you have money to go backpacking then you've got money to buy travel insurance. Also, travelling on a budget without a return fare is playing with fire. 

 

Anyone have any idea what the Thai authority's stance is on this? I'd imagine a prime candidate for the immigration detention centre if he can't support himself here and doesn't meet visa requirements by not having a flight home. 

 

(Disclaimer: Before anyone gets on their high horse about me throwing this guy under the bus, I'm not in any way planning on tipping the local authorities off, but he's in a pretty prominent spot and will no doubt come to the attention of the local BIB before too long)

[CharlieH]

Inflammatory remark removed.

[ThaiPauly]

It's not OK in my book for foreigners to do this.

 

I agree with the OP if you have not got enough money to get home you should never have come, or do what my kids would do, ask ME for the fare to get home, I would (reluctantly) pay  for it, then give him some verbal when he got back!!

[duanebigsby]

42 minutes ago, Happy Grumpy said:

Maybe he's a TEFL teacher? 

Never let an opportunity to bash English teachers here, eh?

You won't won't see TEFLers begging on the streets. They have a paycheck.

[thaiguzzi]

55 minutes ago, SammyT said:

I have a pic for greater effect, though I'm not sure where I would end up in terms of defamation/computer crimes act, but what an absolute <deleted> this guy is.

 

56 minutes ago, SammyT said:

Anyone have any idea what the Thai authority's stance is on this? I'd imagine a prime candidate for the immigration detention centre if he can't support himself here and doesn't meet visa requirements by not having a flight home.

Jesus Christ!

 

And your point is?

Is it any of your business what this guy is doing?

Has it upset your sensitivity?

Are you morally outraged?

Are you going to grass him up?

 

55 minutes ago, SammyT said:

unkempt Farang backpacker

Me personally, I say live and let live, none of my business.

Hope the guy is ok.

[moe666]

Sammy T a bit naive, the majority of backpackers do not backpack that is what they keep their junk in. Yes a few are down and out, but most are legit travelers on a holiday with money to spend on beer and such but will nickle and dine a tut-tut driver or songtaw driver to death.

[SammyT]

5 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Are you going to grass him up?

You conveniently missed the point out where I said I wasn't going to grass him out, but I guess that's probably how you structure your arguments, for greater effect. Also, not overly sensitive, but I don't have much time for people wealthy enough to travel crying poor. 

 

My point is it's an embarrassment to see someone who has the money to travel sitting in an area heavily populated by street vendors best described as poor asking for money so he can get home. But I suspect you knew that point already but you just looked for a reason to get outraged. 

 

I'd say you're more outraged than I am, but live and let live as you say

[SammyT]

1 minute ago, moe666 said:

Sammy T a bit naive, the majority of backpackers do not backpack that is what they keep their junk in. Yes a few are down and out, but most are legit travelers on a holiday with money to spend on beer and such but will nickle and dine a tut-tut driver or songtaw driver to death.

I wouldn't say naive. I've been here long enough to know what they're like, and obviously I use the term backpacker to describe low budget travellers. Not someone who literally lives from their backpack. Hell, I've even been a "backpacker" myself a few years back.

[oldhippy]

2 minutes ago, SammyT said:

You conveniently missed the point out where I said I wasn't going to grass him out, but I guess that's probably how you structure your arguments, for greater effect. Also, not overly sensitive, but I don't have much time for people wealthy enough to travel crying poor. 

 

My point is it's an embarrassment to see someone who has the money to travel sitting in an area heavily populated by street vendors best described as poor asking for money so he can get home. But I suspect you knew that point already but you just looked for a reason to get outraged. 

 

I'd say you're more outraged than I am, but live and let live as you say

Do I sense some envie towards a young man?

I have been a backpacker all my life, I only stopped when I was no longer physically able to do so at age 55.

I had a great life backpacking - and you?

Maybe you were you not adventureous enough and scared of life, maybe you dedicated your entire life to making money for your boss, and probably retired when life was almost over?

I consider "begpacking" to be a most offensive expression.

 

 

[SammyT]

2 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I consider "begpacking" to be a most offensive expression.

 

So you don't think "begpacking" is an accurate term to describe someone begging to fund their travels? How would you describe someone sitting with a sign and a begging cup asking for handouts for an airfare?

 

No envy here. I worked my ass off to afford my trips and continue to travel. I had a great time backpacking and have a great time traveling now/ I find it offensive that people put their hands out and ask other people to fund their travel. 

 

To show how wrong your assumptions are - I'm in my early thirties, not retired when life was almost over. I've managed to both travel widely, do a job I love and become financially secure. But well done for jumping to conclusions.

[oldhippy]

1 minute ago, SammyT said:

 

So you don't think "begpacking" is an accurate term to describe someone begging to fund their travels? How would you describe someone sitting with a sign and a begging cup asking for handouts for an airfare?

 

No envy here. I worked my ass off to afford my trips and continue to travel. I had a great time backpacking and have a great time traveling now/ I find it offensive that people put their hands out and ask other people to fund their travel. 

 

To show how wrong your assumptions are - I'm in my early thirties, not retired when life was almost over. I've managed to both travel widely, do a job I love and become financially secure. But well done for jumping to conclusions.

Did you ask this young man whether begging was his normal style or something bad had happened? Who jumps to conclusions?

And you are 32ish and speak about your former backpacking days? Can't have done much bacpacking.....

 

[SammyT]

1 minute ago, oldhippy said:

Did you ask this young man whether begging was his normal style or something bad had happened? Who jumps to conclusions?

And you are 32ish and speak about your former backpacking days? Can't have done much bacpacking.....

  

 

A few years was enough to get a taste on a shoestring budget, to decide where I wanted to go back to. Currently ticking the places off, manage to travel a few months of each year. But I guess you're one of those pissing contest type guys, so I guess I'll just cede to your superior travel and life experience.

Nope, didn't stop to ask him. As I said in my original post, if you have money to travel you have money for travel insurance. My bags got stolen in Greece, travel insurance sorted me out pretty quickly. you want to cut corners and bunk out on things like insurance, you take what life throws at you. I guess you're one of those people who would just set up a gofundme page and ask for donations. Maybe we just have different life philosophies

[SammyT]

4 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Did you ask this young man whether begging was his normal style or something bad had happened? Who jumps to conclusions?

And you are 32ish and speak about your former backpacking days? Can't have done much bacpacking.....

  

You also didn't answer my question about why begpacking is an offensive term to describe a backpacker who is begging to fund their travel. Couldn't think of a decent answer, huh?

[LomSak27]

1 hour ago, SammyT said:

but was out tonight in the CM Night Bazaar area and out the front of BK

BK ? - Bangkok Bank.

 

Give me a location and I will stop by tomorrow evening and see if I can get a pic. Oh excuse looks like you did a disclaimer and wont reveal the location ...  I have to ask is it real? you are not making this up are you?  The night market being boring as spit so I would not want to waste my time if just a fantasy.

Edited September 25, 2018 by LomSak27

[SammyT]

3 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

BK ? - Bangkok Bank.

 

Give me a location and I will stop by tomorrow evening and see if I can get a pic. Oh excuse looks like you did a disclaimer and wont reveal the location ...  I have to ask is it real? you are not making this up are you?  The night market being boring as spit so I would not want to waste my time if just a fantasy.

 

I would have thought BK was a pretty well renowned initials for Burger King. The one right in the middle. I wouldn't make a special trip if I were you. He was definitely there - I'm not in the business of making up stories to get attention on here. Was merely highlighting my annoyance at people like that. Clearly others don't share the same views, and that's cool. I guess some people are more compassionate than me. 

[mauGR1]

Sorry OP, but you really should enjoy your life rather then feeling outraged for some guy who is obviously down on his luck.

Would you like to be in his shoes ? No ? Count your blessings then.

Money is no cure for loneliness.

[ChakaKhan]

Maybe he wants to buy a Whopper at BK....

[LomSak27]

Burger King would be the last thing I would think of when BK is put up. I always here about these behgpackers, wondered if they were an urban legend I guess.  Now that is the Night market BK - not the one up in the old Montri Hotel on Taphae square?

 

I just got a new Panasonic GX9 so what the hell, time for some action snaps.

[SammyT]

6 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Would you like to be in his shoes ? No ? Count your blessings then.

Speaking of being in someone else's shoes - put yourselves in the shoes of Thai vendors who work in the area. As they work hard to eke out a living, they see a guy who has had enough money to come here, have fun and then can't afford a ticket home so is sitting on the streets of their home town asking for money from tourists and locals that might otherwise go into the local economy. How do you reckon they feel about that when they see stuff like that? I reckon not sympathetic. About as sympathetic as most of the posters on here would feel if they saw it happening in their home country, I imagine

Edited September 25, 2018 by SammyT

[KiChakayan]

I think that the laws for foreigners working illegally should be equally applied to foreigners who are begging. This being said, other people messing up their lives is none of my business.

[mauGR1]

1 minute ago, SammyT said:

Speaking of being in someone else's shoes - put yourselves in the shoes of Thai vendors who work in the area. They see a guy who has had enough money to come here, have fun and then can't afford a ticket home so is sitting on the streets of their home town asking for money from tourists and locals that might otherwise go into the local economy. How do you reckon they feel about that when they see stuff like that? I reckon not sympathetic. About as sympathetic as most of the posters on here would feel if they saw it happening in their home country, I imagine

I don't think so, but i bet some of the vendors would be more sympathetic than you.

I'm not celebrating beggars here, but if you are not willing to give anything, why take cheap shots ?

[cyberfarang]

57 minutes ago, SammyT said:

You conveniently missed the point out where I said I wasn't going to grass him out, but I guess that's probably how you structure your arguments, for greater effect. Also, not overly sensitive, but I don't have much time for people wealthy enough to travel crying poor. 

 

My point is it's an embarrassment to see someone who has the money to travel sitting in an area heavily populated by street vendors best described as poor asking for money so he can get home. But I suspect you knew that point already but you just looked for a reason to get outraged. 

 

I'd say you're more outraged than I am, but live and let live as you say

If these are tourists I don`t think they are breaking any laws, except being a nuisance. All the police can do is check their documents to see if they are legally here and if in order can move them on. Unless they are begging with aggression or harassing passers by, then best to just ignore them and go on your merry way. 

 

I sometimes look at the craigslist ads and there are westerners advertising sexual and other services on there to financially support themselves in Thailand. Unless the police decide to clamp down on foreign beggars, doubt there is anything you can do about it and no point in getting irritated.

[SammyT]

3 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

I don't think so, but i bet some of the vendors would be more sympathetic than you.

I'm not celebrating beggars here, but if you are not willing to give anything, why take cheap shots ?

Because it's embarrassing as a westerner living in this country to see other westerners doing stuff like this. It almost certainly contributes to anti-western feelings that certain segments of the Thai population are so often accused on here of harbouring. As I said - if you have money to travel you have money for travel insurance. If you don't get travel insurance, you leave yourself in the hands of fate. 

 

It makes me laugh that people on here will quickly put the boot into Thais for doing stuff but heaven forbid someone criticises another farang. 

Edited September 25, 2018 by SammyT

[mauGR1]

2 minutes ago, SammyT said:

Because it's embarrassing as a westerner living in this country to see other westerners doing stuff like this. As I said - if you have money to travel you have money for travel insurance. If you don't get travel insurance, you leave yourself in the hands of fate. 

 

It makes me laugh that people on here will quickly put the boot into Thais for doing stuff but heaven forbid someone criticises another farang. 

Ok, never mind, we can agree to disagree.

[watcharacters]

15 minutes ago, SammyT said:

Speaking of being in someone else's shoes - put yourselves in the shoes of Thai vendors who work in the area. As they work hard to eke out a living, they see a guy who has had enough money to come here, have fun and then can't afford a ticket home so is sitting on the streets of their home town asking for money from tourists and locals that might otherwise go into the local economy.

 

Sorry Sammy but I think that's clearly stretching it a bit.      

 

No one has to give the panhandler anything and I'd for darn sure  prefer a person with a empty  cup on the street instead of going to a back alley and mugging  someone.

[SammyT]

2 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

Sorry Sammy but I think that's clearly stretching it a bit.      

  

No one has to give the panhandler anything and I'd for darn sure  prefer a person with a empty  cup on the street instead of going to a back alley and mugging  someone.

 

Is it actually though? You don't think a tuktuk driver or a somtum seller who sits there making not much more than minimum wage per night doesn't look at someone like that and feeling pretty pissed off? Because I know most people in western countries would be annoyed if Asian tourists came over and then sat in the middle of a main town with a cup and a sign. They'd probably be beaten up by the homeless/desperate in NZ. 

I'd personally prefer that people were accountable for their actions as most of us are and relied on insurance/family/embassies for assistance. But that's just me 

[SammyT]

24 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

Burger King would be the last thing I would think of when BK is put up. I always here about these behgpackers, wondered if they were an urban legend I guess.  Now that is the Night market BK - not the one up in the old Montri Hotel on Taphae square?

 

I just got a new Panasonic GX9 so what the hell, time for some action snaps.

I can only presume if you see him tomorrow, you'll see all the compassionate people on here telling me to "give him a chance" lined up giving him some of their hard-earned or offering him a room at their house or something. Be sure to take pics of that happening. 

[Catkiwi]

32 minutes ago, SammyT said:

 

I would have thought BK was a pretty well renowned initials for Burger King. The one right in the middle. I wouldn't make a special trip if I were you. He was definitely there - I'm not in the business of making up stories to get attention on here. Was merely highlighting my annoyance at people like that. Clearly others don't share the same views, and that's cool. I guess some people are more compassionate than me. 

Sammy, you will probably learn fairly soon that there are good and bad posters and some guys just like to, as you mentioned previously, exert their perceived superiority by throwing out stupid arguments. I agree that a Farang begging money off of the locals is not a good look, as is a lot of other bad behaviour  by Farangs. Good luck with what ever it is you are doing.

[Dante99]

1 hour ago, SammyT said:

My point is it's an embarrassment to see someone who....

For you apparently but not for me and not for many others.

[SammyT]

4 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

For you apparently but not for me and not for many others.

Do you always edit quotes that heavily? Horses for courses I guess. There are plenty of things I find embarrassing that westerners do over here (like girls less than half their age and then wonder why they lost all their money) that others don't. Maybe I'm different to other expats who post on here. Paint me unsurprised.