Thai ministry urges the public to refrain from giving money to beggars

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

The Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will launch a major campaign this Friday, encouraging the public to stop giving money to beggars in an effort to tackle the escalating issue across Thailand.

 

The campaign will commence at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan district. A star-studded affair is expected, with key players like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), the Immigration Bureau, the Mirror Foundation, and other leading anti-begging advocates in attendance.

 

To spread the message, participants will distribute multilingual pamphlets in Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Cambodian to people at the Pathumwan Intersection and along Rama I and Phaya Thai Roads.

 

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the escalating beggar problem, advocating for regulatory and legal measures to control the number of beggars and shifting public perceptions about giving money.

 

“We need to change mindsets,” said Varawut Silpa-archa, the Social Development Minister. “Many see giving money to beggars as an act of compassion. However, this often exacerbates the problem, with many beggars becoming victims of trafficking or being used for illegal activities.”

 

A recent ministry survey revealed 506 beggars on the streets nationwide in the current fiscal year, marking a 20% increase from last year. Of these beggars, 331 were Thai nationals, with 24% identified as repeat beggars.

 

Bangkok and key tourist provinces such as Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Lop Buri reported the highest beggar numbers. However, nine provinces reported none, including Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Satun, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Phetchaburi, Nan, and Phang Nga.

 

From October 2014 to July this year, the ministry documented 7,635 beggars, with 65% being Thai and the remaining foreign nationals. Most beggars were found operating in major cities and tourist towns particularly in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chiang Mai.

 

The initiative underscores the government's commitment to tackling the beggar issue and protecting those vulnerable to exploitation and illegal activities.

 

-- 2024-08-14

 

- Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[ikke1959]

It is better to do something about the poverty in Thailand. With daily wages of 400 THB a day and rising costs for living it is impossible for many to make ends meet and when low educated and from poor family it is difficult to find a decent job too... I know there is much money that is spend  for nothing in Thailand and by the superrich they can pay more taxes or start paying tax. 

[Tropicalevo]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

encouraging the public to stop giving money to beggars

 

Does that include policemen and government officials?

[2008bangkok]

might aswell just say don't give to beggars as our own people will scam the beggars

[milesinnz]

If the Thai government wants to stop the issue of beggars, then provide a safety net for the most vulnerable... what a disgusting government.. I guess they need the money for a submarine which is their delusional eyes, is more important...

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

If the Thai government wants to stop the issue of beggars, then provide a safety net for the most vulnerable... what a disgusting government.. I guess they need the money for a submarine which is their delusional eyes, is more important...

 

 

Could not agree more.

 

 

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, milesinnz said:

If the Thai government wants to stop the issue of beggars, then provide a safety net for the most vulnerable... what a disgusting government.. I guess they need the money for a submarine which is their delusional eyes, is more important...

well you need toys for the boys to keep them off the streets.

[Jerry777]

Does that include my children?

[Denim]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A recent ministry survey revealed 506 beggars on the streets nationwide in the current fiscal year, marking a 20% increase from last year. Of these beggars, 331 were Thai nationals, with 24% identified as repeat beggars.

 

Helo hello hello . Do I detect a new hub in the offing .

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will launch a major campaign this Friday, encouraging the public to stop giving money to beggars in an effort to tackle the escalating issue across Thailand.

Starve them out?

[Zack61]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

It is better to do something about the poverty in Thailand. With daily wages of 400 THB a day and rising costs for living it is impossible for many to make ends meet and when low educated and from poor family it is difficult to find a decent job too... I know there is much money that is spend  for nothing in Thailand and by the superrich they can pay more taxes or start paying tax. 

Perhaps use some of the 2.8 trillion baht from the anticipated tourism boom to do something to address the poverty 

[Aleksey75]

Isn't it better to start the campaign to help those in needs so they won't go to the streets begging... It's rather stupid when the officials from several ministries will go around the streets persuading the public not to give money to beggers, isn't it? 

Edited August 14 by Aleksey75

[Jackbenimble]

I think giving or not giving is a matter of personal choice. I give sometimes. Government interference in my right to choose to give or not would actually make me give more often. I'm sure the goverment must have more important things to focus on. 

[terryofcrete]

If Thailand looked after its people there might be a chance they could say this but the reality is shame on them for lack of welfare and care.

[cnx101]

Ridiculous what about people with no legs or blind or deformed as they can’t get a job, how about the government helping them.

[steven100]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Does that include policemen and government officials?

no .....   they're scammers not beggars ... don't you know that silly    !

 

 

 

Edited August 14 by steven100

[jvs]

Most beggars are not people in need but people who take advantage of good people.

People i give to are the people who live at a gas station and have nothing.

Most of these people have mental issues and the do not even ask for money.

If i see them sleeping i will leave some food items and water by their side.

Most"beggars" are members of criminal gangs and are well organized.

As an example,there was a guy at Chattuchak market who was dragging himself back and forward in a mud puddle,flat on his belly.

I have seen myself that some one added more water to the mud to make him look more miserable.

There was no mud anywhere else around there and i saw a lot of people giving him money.

No need to beg in Thailand.

 

[TheFishman1]

Thailand government has never been humane when it comes to refugees when it comes to the property of their nation they see only what they wanna see TIT

[spidermike007]

I would expect this kind of position and statement from these absolute creeps that are running the country at this point. Cold heartedness Is certainly one of their primary qualities, and obviously an extraordinary lack of compassion.

 

It may be a karma, it may be the role of the dice, or maybe just the randomness of the universe, but being homeless and living on the streets any place in the world, has to be one of the worst fates any human being can endure. We are so fortunate. So if I can do just a little something to help alleviate some of their pain I will. 

 

I give money to beggars, especially if It's obvious that they're not professional, and that they have a major handicap or are dirt poor. 20 or 40 baht in their pockets helps me to keep my heart open, and it feels like the right thing to do. 

 

When I was living and working in India I realized that many of the beggars were doing this professionally or working for professionals who were collecting a significant amount of money from their work. So I started carrying around a daypack with fruit inside it, and when I would be approached by a beggar I would offer them a banana or an orange. The professionals would look at me with a great deal of disdain, whereas the real beggars would accept the fruit with gratitude as they were truly hungry. It worked!

Edited August 14 by spidermike007

[crazykopite]

So if a thai friend messaged me asking for a 100 Bahri can tell them the minister in government has stated that we should not do it you don’t have to be on the street to be begging I’ve been stopped outside a 7/11 a petrol station even big C when a lady was 20 baht short 

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

encouraging the public to stop giving money to beggars in an effort to tackle the escalating issue across Thailand.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A star-studded affair is expected, with key players like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), the Immigration Bureau, the Mirror Foundation, and other leading anti-begging advocates in attendance.

Stop funding "star-studded" government agencies and private foundations so maybe the begging community can be given a chance at normal life. 

[itsari]

Raise the pension payment from 600 baht to 1000 baht may help a little 

Worst pension scheme in South Eastern Asia.

 

[khunpeer]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

It is better to do something about the poverty in Thailand. With daily wages of 400 THB a day and rising costs for living it is impossible for many to make ends meet and when low educated and from poor family it is difficult to find a decent job too... I know there is much money that is spend  for nothing in Thailand and by the superrich they can pay more taxes or start paying tax. 

it's even worse:

daily wages should be baht 400 and more, but here& there others nibble off more baht for 'services' so many workers make only 300 - 350 a day...

sad but true!

[Poseidon]

I will give what i can when i can. Ive given money to a homeless mother and daughter in Bangkok. The man in the photo has no legs clearly no healthcare where are the prosthetics or wheelchair. If the government does not want money given to beggars or food to stray animals then they should do something about it and stop being a total disgrace. Till then i will help where i can when on holiday in Thailand.  

[Poseidon]

51 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Monks don’t beg they walk the street in the early hours it’s up to Thais if they want to give the monks give them a good blessing for a fruitful day .when I go to the Temple I always take an offering of food normally a tray of eggs most monks eat one time per day 

And yet the thai government wants the royal temple in Wimbledon surrounded by all the mansions. to redo the roof in gold leaf and teak wood talking to the monks there. its 400k baht just for the leaf not including the labour of English builders to put it up. I wonder about thai budhism sometimes  

[Stuart.]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Does that include policemen and government officials?

And Monks?  

[trainman34014]

I do the same here as i did in my own Country, food and drink.    If you give money it may get spent on Drugs.

[xtrnuno41]

So it is alright for monkeys to beg, then there is no problem. O there is, see Lopbhuri.

But if humans beg as their last resort, it is wrong?! 

I know there are gangs and people are forced to beg and lose their money to the leaders.

I know there are fakes and they even make quite a good income.

But in Asia (not only Thailand) there are many people who are fighting to survive.

Well even "Big Brother" has this problem.

 

Probably major important is to get BK clean, same as the scheme with the street vendors.

Of course you can make it nation wide( cover up), but the main is BK.

You put up the highest building in BK, all for the super rich and of course they dont want to see beggars.

You can notice every where in the world this is happening. The super rich destroy habitats, they are a pest.

Well that's my point of view.

 

Yeah sometimes , you are mistaken. Long time ago was with a Philipina in a shop, young kids were out , begging.

I wanted to give some, but she said, NO dont do that. Buy them some food.

So I did and the kids werent interested anymore! They just wanted cash for the gang !

[connda]

So what the hell will the government do to alleviate the problems of the underclasses of the underclasses? 
Probably nothing.  So people will continue to give money to beggars. 

[DogNo1]

Many of the beggars at Wireless/Ploenchit are repeat beggars.  They sit on the stairs and put their cups far in front of them making it difficult for walkers who need to grasp the handrails when they navigate the stairs.  I feel sorry for them but they make walking safely difficult especially when their children are with them.