Pictures courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

In a familiar yet troubling scene, Cambodian women with infants have once again appeared on the bustling streets of Pattaya, seeking refuge and survival amid Thailand’s tourist-rich zones. Despite previous crackdowns and deportations, these women persist, driven by desperation to support their families.

 

On a vibrant Sunday night, August 3, reporters found numerous Cambodian beggars stationed outside busy convenience stores and nightlife venues. These individuals, mostly women accompanied by young children, have become a familiar sight despite efforts to send them back home. The magnetic pull of Pattaya’s potential earnings seems to outweigh the risks.

 

One poignant story involves a 24-year-old mother cradling her two-month-old daughter outside a local 7-Eleven. Originating from a village near a conflict zone by the Thai-Cambodian border, she described her previous life as unbearable. Having been abandoned by her husband and earning around 200 baht (approximately 200 THB) that day, she remarked, “It’s still better than being in Cambodia.”

 

Another woman, who initially fled with her young son when approached, later confessed she had been deported before. Within a month, she found her way back to Thailand, citing health issues like diabetes and a lack of work opportunities, leaving her with no alternative for survival.

 

Locals have witnessed this cycle for years, including a woman from Surin, a province about 70 kilometres from the Cambodian border. She noted the presence of these women is constant. “They’re scared of the police, but going home means starvation. They’re just trying to send money back to their families.”

 

The beggars employ specific tactics to sustain their presence. Most are women with children, strategically positioned near high-footfall tourist areas. Observers noted how some acted as lookouts, prepared to warn others of police or media presence. Though generally non-aggressive, the women are often evasive and vanish into alleyways when approached.

 

Motorbike taxi drivers and shopkeepers described a repetitive cycle: these women are apprehended, disappear briefly, then return to their usual spots. “It’s become normal,” said one driver. “People don’t notice anymore.”

 

Despite the illegality of begging, the practice endures. Local estimates suggest these women might earn between 400 to 500 baht daily, occasionally reaching up to 2,000 baht during peak times. Their routine begins in the early evening, extending into late-night hours, heavily relying on the sympathy evoked by their accompanying children.

 

The recurrence of Cambodian beggars in Pattaya underscores deeper issues tied to economic hardship, illegal migration, and ongoing instability across the Thai-Cambodian border. While authorities strive to address the situation, the persistence of this phenomenon highlights the lack of viable alternatives for those ensnared in cycles of poverty and displacement.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-05

 

They better go to bangkok, some beggars there did news last years and it showed a much better income, better as most of the working people.

'Desperation to support their families?' Are we sure, I thought it was simply an organized mafia of women and lolling kids moved around probably by some local boss guy!

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

'Desperation to support their families?' Are we sure, I thought it was simply an organized mafia of women and lolling kids moved around probably by some local boss guy!

More like it.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

'Desperation to support their families?' Are we sure, I thought it was simply an organized mafia of women and lolling kids moved around probably by some local boss guy!

 

If there's a "beggar king" like there is in every Asian country/city that controls these women, it just means that these women have to give-up 1/2 of the money they make.

Whether there is or isn't, they still live terrible lives.  These women and their children are at the absolute bottom rung of society.

I don't have a solution as I do feel bad about them, but if people throw money at them, more will show up every week.

 

Support their families?

 

55555

 

These scammers work shifts, but the babies work 24/7. Look closely over time and you'll see several different 'mothers' with the same baby.

 

I guess that there is a 'rent a baby' agency that supplies these infants?

 

 

 

 

Fake beggar is a career, temples have fake monks. Donation only to those people sleeping on the street 

Good to know US-China intervention for ceasefire is working.

Now these people can "work" in a safe environment as it used to be.

 

 

Despite previous crackdowns and deportations, these women persist, driven by desperation to support their families.

 

Every time they are ordered out of this kingdom, they come back in different names sometime  later; must be pretty easy to get fake ID in the third world nations.

 

 

I was told years ago that Cambodian women often “rent” the babies they use for their begging enterprise

4 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

I was told years ago that Cambodian women often “rent” the babies they use for their begging enterprise

 

I have heard of that sort if business; rental babies for female beggars

Said to be pretty common in India and Burma.

Thanks to the presence of 2 global giants, Thai-Cambodian  peace deal looks more concrete.

 

Presidents and  beggars.

 

 Looks so alien each other, but interacting.

 

Think globally, act locally...

Have noticed Thai people never give money to  these street beggers .kids or not.

They do give to known local Thai  beggers , usually 5 or 10 baht. Perhaps best to follow the locals in this .....

This is like Romanians in London.  Bussed in every weekend, earning more than most Londoners.

I only give money to beggars who seem like Thais and who are disabled.

 

 

3 hours ago, Searat7 said:

I was told years ago that Cambodian women often “rent” the babies they use for their begging enterprise

It used to be very common in CM among the Hill Tribe folk until Thaksin/Purachai put a stop to it in the early 2000's.

Is there any PROOF they are all Cambodians... Thailand's own stats put 80% of beggars as being.,.wait for it....,Thai.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

I only give money to beggars who seem like Thais and who are disabled.

 

 

How do you tell the difference 

There's a Uk guy who begs every day in Naklua Road around the soi 27 area. He looks really disheveled and going by his appearance is severely malnourished. People have told me he always refuses food and only wants money for Thai whiskey.

7 hours ago, Searat7 said:

I was told years ago that Cambodian women often “rent” the babies they use for their begging enterprise

Don't sit too long with your drinking buddies in the bar

10 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

I have heard of that sort if business; rental babies for female beggars

Said to be pretty common in India and Burma.

When I first arrived circa 2004 Thai TV exposed a Thai  village  that  sent beggars to Bkk. ....in shifts ! They even had an informal   how to school set up !

15 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

When I first arrived circa 2004 Thai TV exposed a Thai  village  that  sent beggars to Bkk. ....in shifts ! They even had an informal   how to school set up !

 

Thank you for your informative post.

So some whole community runs on begging.

Feels strong influence of the Indian culture where money soliciting is one of their traditional vocations.  

 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Thank you for your informative post.

So some whole community runs on begging.

Feels strong influence of the Indian culture where money soliciting is one of their traditional vocations.  

 

 

 

 

This was in 2004 .Doubt  it could exist today without someone  exposing it from day 1 ! 

1 minute ago, Jim Blue said:

This was in 2004 .Doubt  it could exist today without someone  exposing it from day 1 ! 

 

Nowaday, might be masterminded by someone else outside as some other posters say.

17 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I only give money to beggars who seem like Thais and who are disabled.

 

 

How to discern Thai from Cambodian, do you try and talk to them?

11 hours ago, jacko45k said:

How to discern Thai from Cambodian, do you try and talk to them?

No actually, I don't. 

So there's no way to know.

Disabled should be good enough criteria? It's pocket change.