Foreigner Begging for Money in Bangkok Sparks Investigation

[webfact]

 

Bangkok—On January 31st, 2024, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (SDHS), publicly revealed to the Thai media a complaint about a foreigner in elephant pants asking for money at the Mo Chit BTS station, in Bangkok.

In response to the complaint, the Rapid Response Centre for Accelerating Public Welfare Management of SDHS investigated the reported area, however, the unidentified foreigner was nowhere to be found.

 

Upon investigation, unidentified vendors at Mo Chit BTS station reportedly told the SDHS officials that the foreigner had been asking for money with a message saying he needed a flight ticket to return home, please donate 20 baht, thank you.

The foreigner had been at Mo Chit BTS station for a few days, and each time Bangkok municipal officials warned him to stop asking for money, the witnesses said to the SDHS officials.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-01

 

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[swm59nj]

I don’t know why tourists and expats complain about how expansive things are.  And trying to make a go of it. 
This proves there are always opportunities for all in the LOS 

[spidermike007]

There are some pretty harsh people on this forum, it seems like when someone falls on hard times most jump on the bandwagon of harsh criticism and accusations of poor planning and things like that. The reality is that people do fall on hard times, there's a dozen different reasons why somebody could run out of money, and it sucks.

 

So perhaps a little bit of sympathy is appropriate? 

 

The other comical aspect of this post is the name of the organization that investigated. The Rapid Response Centre for Accelerating Public Welfare Management of SDHS. Quite a fancy name for an organization that likely does very little to help the people. 

[FarangJon]

Farang mai mee tang. Same here.

Left all money in Lady bars buddy? At least u had some fun.

[sumongkhwai]

I thought you had have R/T ticket when entering the Kingdom, assuming he flew into BKK. I guess coing from Laos or Cambodia land crossing maybe not an issue?

[ryxyz]

There was a guy from the Netherlands doing that there in 2021/2002. We bought him snacks and beverages, but he insisted on money. Don't really remember if we obliged him, but we were aware that was his source of income at the time. 

[Masterton]

Funny how some on here automatically assume he has fallen on hard times and actually needs a plane ticket. Most of these types are scam artists praying on the genorisity of other people (mostly Thais) to fund their 'stay' in Thailand. Personally I find 'begpackers' despicable and give foreigners here a bad name. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to the complaint, the Rapid Response Centre for Accelerating Public Welfare Management of SDHS investigated the reported area, however, the unidentified foreigner was nowhere to be found

More speed needed.

[findlay13]

I saw an old German dude begging 20 years ago outside Tops supermarket in Pattaya.He had a cardboard sign in German and Thai in front of him.His wife/girlfriend was lurking in the background.🙄

[Sig]

Apparently the "Rapid Response Centre for Accelerating Public Welfare Management of SDHS" (Social Development and Human Security) didn't accelerate rapidly enough in order to manage securing him....

 

[Dcheech]

These backpackers have no initiative these days. If only they would take a look how down on their luck expats get by. Go out there & get a job in a call scam center, exporting or importing narcotics,  or a finder for loan sharks. Many technically illegal but respected occupations here in LOS.  

Need to get out of the henna tatto parlors & show a bit a gumption.

[RickyJB]

1 hour ago, Masterton said:

Funny how some on here automatically assume he has fallen on hard times and actually needs a plane ticket. Most of these types are scam artists praying on the genorisity of other people (mostly Thais) to fund their 'stay' in Thailand. Personally I find 'begpackers' despicable and give foreigners here a bad name. 

Correct. There is also an Aussie woman that goes in MBK approaches people saying she left her purse in a taxi etc etc and asks for money. Gives some kind of sob story, but i saw here there for the 1st time at least 3 or 4 years ago 

[Sig]

13 minutes ago, Dcheech said:

These backpackers have no initiative these days.

These days? Has it ever been any different?

[ezzra]

In Melbourne where i have my second home, every supermarket has this beggar sitting in front like he own the place,

they're all able bodies in their 40-50' and bagging for money 7 days a week,

Begging become a thing to rely on now days and seeing a foreigner begging is an eyesore as those people sits there

for quite sometimes, this is why there embassies to help in such cases... 

 

[Asquith Production]

26 minutes ago, Sig said:

Apparently the "Rapid Response Centre for Accelerating Public Welfare Management of SDHS" (Social Development and Human Security) didn't accelerate rapidly enough in order to manage securing him....

 

Well they should have sent the Fast Action Response Team

[nikmar]

There was an English fella begging in Nana once. Late 20's or early 30's with a similar story. Lost everything to theft and just wanted to go home. I was working for a teaching agency and said i could set him up with soem smart clothes and some food and expenses to cover him until he got paid, therefore he could earn his fare home. I was willing to do it as one day you never know, it could be me. He point blank refused to work, just wanted cash. Unbelievable.

 

Having said that , i would never judge someone without knowing his story. 

[bbko]

Those falang backpack beggars have been in/around Bangkok for decades, always seem to be same Khaosan road types.

 

[DjSilver]

And when Thai people are begging and scamming foreigners, the Thai officials do nothing. 

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

(...) the foreigner had been asking for money with a message saying he needed a flight ticket to return home, please donate 20 baht, thank you.

 

Guess, he's not planning to fly First Class then...

[cracker1]

Are these people committing a crime ?

[Homburg]

Protected occupation?

[ChipButty]

I saw one guy many years ago in the airport he approached us asking for 500 baht, in the days when you had to pay as you leave, he was a farang

[bbko]

5 minutes ago, cracker1 said:

Are these people committing a crime ?

Well there is a requirement for visiting foreigners to have a certain amount of money &/or enough money to support themselves, and if they are tourists, where's their follow-on airplane/travel ticket? It's not just Thailand that feels this way, many countries have the same requirement.

[Thai Visa Member 999999]

I was sorta hoping he was wearing a Speedo and we could all get outraged but ... elephant pants...ehh. 

[Drumbuie]

Used to be a young guy hanging round the bus terminus in my town with a sad story about having lost the cash for the bus fare home. Every single day.

You didn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to spot the telltale signs that he was spending the money on drugs.  I'm guessing this farang beggar is doing the same. 

[Chetzee]

2 hours ago, Masterton said:

Funny how some on here automatically assume he has fallen on hard times and actually needs a plane ticket. Most of these types are scam artists praying on the genorisity of other people (mostly Thais) to fund their 'stay' in Thailand. Personally I find 'begpackers' despicable and give foreigners here a bad name. 

I saw him outside Chatuckak market mid morning two weeks ago  , where he appeared to be rolling up and stashing his bedding at the back of the bus stop opposite Bangsue Junction .  definitely had the look of someone who slept outside for the night ...... my immediate take on it was Eastern European and on the piss   ........ if you know what I mean  . 

 

     just been reminded of a friend David , a very bright English teacher in his late 50's ,    we were both staying in a dorm on Khao San road about 35 years ago ......    David was very over stayed , had an illness he would not discuss , I don't remember very seeing him eat , and was a full on alcoholic ...     he was holed up in the PB guest house drinking him self to death because he could not bare the thought of immigration prison before being deported .... he genuinely did not think he's make it out the other side , although he wanted to return to the UK for medical treatment  .......... He wasn't begging be he was pretty desperate ......   just sayin" 

[1happykamper]

Plenty of Thai beg.. Especially in Bkk. What law is the farang breaking? 

[Ironmike]

I used to donate to these people when I travelled to the UK, in London subway but then I watched a very informative show on tv about a blond women that woke up in the morning in her Knightsbridge  house,, she did her dirty make up and put on <deleted> clothes then went begging,, never again will I give money to these people

[hellohello123]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

More speed needed.

Any faster theyd go back in time.

 

Einstein would be impressed

[hotchilli]

1 minute ago, hellohello123 said:

Any faster theyd go back in time.

I think Thailand is achieving that.