Chinese beggars taking advantage of visa exemption to operate in Thailand

[webfact]

Six Chinese nationals, who were found begging in Bangkok and are now in police custody, entered Thailand legally, taking advantage of visa-free entry for Chinese tourists.

 

The beggars, some of whom have wounds on their bodies, are believed to be victims or members of a transnational human trafficking network making money in major cities in Thailand through street begging, preying on the generosity of the public.

 

The six beggars were arrested in Pathumwan, Phaya Thai, Bang Phlat, Bang Rak and Thung Mahamek districts of the capital and have been fined between Bt100 and Bt500 each. One of them has already been deported back to China, while the rest are awaiting deportation.

 

TOP: A suspicious person who was seen begging at the Lat Krabang evening market

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[John Drake]

Quote

The six beggars were arrested in Pathumwan, Phaya Thai, Bang Phlat, Bang Rak and Thung Mahamek districts of the capital and have been fined between Bt100 and Bt500 each. . . .

It is reported that each beggar can earn up to Bt10,000 by begging for just six hours a day, which is much more than the minimum wage in Thailand.

 

Pretty good returns. I can see why the Chinese are willing to risk it. Slap on the wrist fine and a free trip home are the only penalties. 

[jts-khorat]

23 minutes ago, John Drake said:

and a free trip home

 

I think you misunderstand how 'deportation' works. This flight is not free!

[John Drake]

Quote

The money collected by these beggars is surprisingly substantial, reaching up to 10,000 baht per person per day. From the available information, a total of nine foreign beggars have accumulated 2-3 million baht per month. This estimation only includes those who have been found, and the actual figure may be higher, he said.  https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1276159

 

Seems to me that they can afford an Elite visa.

[hotchilli]

43 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Seems to me that they can afford an Elite visa.

Beats being unemployed in China.

[timendres]

1 hour ago, jts-khorat said:

 

I think you misunderstand how 'deportation' works. This flight is not free!

 

Unless promised by the network... (yes, I also doubt that ^_^)

[Bobthegimp]

10,000 baht per day for 6 hours of begging?  Make it believable.  Thaksin and his family would be out there dancing the jig and washing windshields for that kind of cash.  

 

Is begging prohibited on a retirement extension? 

[Chris Daley]

So you have to have a permit to be poor now?

[richard_smith237]

14 minutes ago, Bobthegimp said:

10,000 baht per day for 6 hours of begging?  Make it believable.  Thaksin and his family would be out there dancing the jig and washing windshields for that kind of cash.  

 

Is begging prohibited on a retirement extension? 

 

Indeed...   if these amounts were anywhere close the realistic there would be no more taxi drivers or TEFL'ers left.. 

[khunjeff]

So they arrested and punished disfigured people who are victims of human trafficking gangs? I guess they want to get back on the Trafficking in Persons watchlist, as the last TIP Report noted specifically that

 

"government officials did not identify the majority as trafficking victims, placed foreign victims in immigration detention centers, and arrested victims, including Thai citizens, for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked in these illicit operations"

 

- exactly what they're doing here, yet again.

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, Bobthegimp said:

10,000 baht per day for 6 hours of begging?  Make it believable.  Thaksin and his family would be out there dancing the jig and washing windshields for that kind of cash.  

 

Is begging prohibited on a retirement extension? 

I would want a lot more than that to have scolding water thrown over my face and to have my hands chopped off?

[Bobthegimp]

4 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I would want a lot more than that to have scolding water thrown over my face and to have my hands chopped off?

 

I'm fine with scolding water, but scalding water and amputations are a bridge too far. 

 

Your reply shows that I need to read the entire story before commenting. 

[bignok]

8 hours ago, Bobthegimp said:

10,000 baht per day for 6 hours of begging?  Make it believable.  Thaksin and his family would be out there dancing the jig and washing windshields for that kind of cash.  

 

Is begging prohibited on a retirement extension? 

More like 100 baht. 10,000 what BS

[SABloke]

Why lie about "6 days" though? The most half-assed explanation/apology attempt ever. It's literally been almost double that, but George pulls in with a 6 day apology. WTF