Thailand, a top travel destination, is witnessing an increase in homeless foreign nationals. With relaxed visa policies and low living costs, cities like Bangkok and Phuket attract many visitors. However, some find themselves destitute, unable to return home, after facing unexpected challenges such as illness or financial scams.

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Thailand's welcoming environment, facilitated by visa exemptions, often leads tourists to overlook the risks of long stays without sufficient planning. Many arrive without adequate funds, insurance, or support. Unexpected events like global conflicts and scams further exacerbate their situations, leaving them stranded and homeless in a foreign country.

The Bangkok Community Help Foundation has broadened its mission to aid foreign nationals. Originally focused on Thai citizens, it now also provides support to foreigners, offering shelter and basic necessities at the "Centre of Dreams." The foundation collaborates with embassies to help repatriate those in need, highlighting a critical gap in the social safety net for foreigners in Thailand.

Friso Poldervaart, co-founder of the foundation, notes the increasing cases of destitute foreigners. He stresses the importance of embassy cooperation as there is no formal support system for these individuals. The foundation has already assisted over 40 foreigners, coordinating with embassies, families, and friends for their safe return.

Global economic stability and the prevalence of online scams suggest the issue may grow, challenging Thailand to provide practical and compassionate responses. As Thailand remains a beloved destination, addressing these unintended consequences becomes imperative.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 09 Apr 2026

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They are just a bunch of born losers, that thought they could hack it, but that was just a dream!

But after years here, foreigner means Chinese, else the write national

The reported rise in homeless foreigners in Thailand may come from multiple factors, but entry rules may play some part.

Thailand’s visa‑exempt entry is fairly easy, and although proof‑of‑funds is technically required, I suggest that it’s rarely enforced.

That means some visitors probably arrive with very limited money, mistakenly assuming Thailand is cheaper than it really is.

But the issue isn’t only lax entry checks. As mentioned in the article, some cases come from poor planning, blocked bank cards, mental health issues, or people getting stranded after long stays.

Whatever the reason, NGOs in Bangkok say they’re seeing more foreigners who simply ran out of options.

While tightening entry checks might reduce a few cases, I think the bigger problem is unrealistic expectations of visitors and inconsistent enforcement, rather than the rules themselves.

All visitors should also be aware that most embassies offer very limited assistance in these situations, so arriving without sufficient funds can leave you completely on your own!

I haven't seen any Caucasian foreigners (yet) who are homeless in Thailand. At least they didn't identify themselves as homeless. A homeless Cambodian is also a foreigner, right, or are we only talking about Caucasians? I know a few "farangs" who come and go. They go back to their country of origin to work and then come back for a year until they run out of money. A few live down the road. They have heavily invested in real-estate although they cannot legally own it or sell it. I know a 75-year old retired Australian who was refused a visa extension and had to leave after 60 days last year. His multiple Thai bank accounts had been frozen, he had no access to his meagre savings, and he eventually had to go back to Australia. Lucky for him, he had a return ticket. As far as I know, all of his visas were bought. He paid a fee directly to the immigration staff for an under-the-table 12-month visa for every extended stay over the past decade. That corrupt source was removed last year so that my friend had no way of getting a paid-for visa extension. In contrast, my visa is legitimate. I fully complied and exceeded all visa requirements. When the 75-year-old lamented about the corruption in Thailand, and asked me how to get a retirement visa, I explained the legal process to him. He scoffed: "Not everyone has money like you!" OK, perhaps those who didn't plan their retirement well shouldn't be here, right? If you're practically broke, you can't turn into a globetrotter on a <deleted>ty Australian pension which gets cut-off if you don't reside in Australia. How can someone complain about corruption in Thailand but then gets upset when his own corrupt visa source has been shut down? I have a real bank account because I obtained it with the correct visa. My bank account was never in danger of being suspended. I have a pink ID card and I actually have a real Thai drivers' license. By the way, I am by no means wealthy. I have savings (not a pension) and my wife has her Thai pension. It looks like we're wealthy but we're not. Good planning (budgeting) and common sense are required. I have no idea why some foreigners in Thailand might be homeless. Homelessness is nothing new. Scams are nothing new. My only fear is that Trump's war might devalue my savings if this morphs into a global financial crisis. That would be a problem. But I'm also pre-planning for that eventuality. Plan well - live well!

2 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

proof‑of‑funds is technically required, I suggest that it’s rarely enforced.

Twenty thousand baht would not last so long I suspect. Have these folks been abandoned by family at home too?

99% dont bring cash into thailand.

Thats oldfashioned and only used doing "whitewashing".

"Regular, normal tourists" use their national debit or credit cards, and for "long stayers" have a thai bank account, doing transfers from home countries.

I guess being homeless in a good weather country with cheap food and living costs beat being homeless in a cold climate country and expensive living.

Many sex mongrels from the west who come over, play it big thanks to the cash exchange rate, get involved with a lady of small virtue usually met in a hooker bar, buy the flashy house, the flashy pick up, the flashy scooter, the more flashy toys for the drunk useless brother and other inlaws...and one fine morning, one the wife has sucked the falang dry (of his bank account), it's bye bye, she gets the home and the falang hits the road. Rather costly for a bar fine, don't you think ?

Living rent-free under the coconut trees on the beach....That's the high life baby....Scrounging a little food....What more do you need?....

Send them begpackers packing back to the UK, US, Russia and Canada.

Industry in those countries are practically begging for workers in construction and other trades.

Never too late to change career!

Easy enough to spot and deport.

Not like they're hiding in a cheap rental apartment like so many others.

3 hours ago, ZigM said:

I haven't seen any Caucasian foreigners (yet) who are homeless in Thailand.

Take a stroll once a week to Suvarnabhumi airport basement (the floor of Airport Link train station entrance) and look under the ... travelators or whatever they call these... you'll see same "caucasian" faces each time. They seem to be living there, cleaning up in the airport toilets and eating at that food court on the ground floor. Seen some for months. Don't know how they manage to stay there so long...

If they are staying so long in Thailand that they end up beig homeless, they are being given way too long visitor visas. 30 days should be the max, with no renewal without proof of funds to support an additional 30 days.

10 hours ago, blaze master said:

What a wonderful blanket statement you have made.

We all know Gottfrid, the “one against all” who would like to be Don Quixote.
The difference is that Don Quixote was sometimes somehow understandable, but Gottfried is just ridiculous.

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Living rent-free under the coconut trees on the beach....That's the high life baby....Scrounging a little food....What more do you need?....

"...under the coconut trees..."

This can be fatal!

I'm wondering if the new proposed medical insurance requirement isn't just another way to help pay for the expense of Thailand's infamous "high rise jumpers" and the alleged influx of "farang" homeless?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand, a top travel destination, is witnessing an increase in homeless foreign nationals.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The foundation has already assisted over 40 foreigners

Yes, this is probably an increase. But it's 40+ foreigners out of more than 30 million who enter the country every year; mathematically speaking, essentially zero. It makes for a provocative headline, but that's about all.

45 minutes ago, newnative said:

If they are staying so long in Thailand that they end up beig homeless, they are being given way too long visitor visas. 30 days should be the max, with no renewal without proof of funds to support an additional 30 days.

Designing a country's visa system around the 1/10,000th of 1% of visitors who end up on the streets is not a good idea.

Not sure how much help the foreign embassies offer these people in a time of need. My experience and observations of embassy priorities is that they are more in line with the business and financial needs related to trade and geopolitics rather than the direct care of its citizens. Unless you are able to pay for their help they are unlikely to do much in these circumstances.

6 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

Yes, this is probably an increase. But it's 40+ foreigners out of more than 30 million who enter the country every year; mathematically speaking, essentially zero. It makes for a provocative headline, but that's about all.

Designing a country's visa system around the 1/10,000th of 1% of visitors who end up on the streets is not a good idea.

True, but they "could" ask for proof of hotel and onward flight (and check them - what's that TDAC for!) for every arrival, and if they have no valid booking, reject entry. The rule about accommodation and funds is already there, just not enforced (or enforced when they don't like someone), but it could be - that way it would be down to accidents and scams. Including that 300 baht fee to cover insurance (or now asking for everyone to have insurance... or both?) should cover the first, as for second... what's the police for? Surely eliminating scams should be on their radar, and giving hell to those scamming would provide reasonable deterrent.

So it might be possible to significantly decrease this, tools are already available, just need to be enforced.

9 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

That's not nice...

Doubt if he is.

The government has created it own problem and it's an easy fix, but they are too afraid to look bad in media, so they just complain about instead.

Every year for years, I've had to show proof for funds to renew my Non-O, just like many of us. So a start would be to simply require foreigners that want an extension, provide proof of funds for the additional 30 days. While it doesn't fix the issue, it's a start.

Next thing they need to do is fix all their bloody visas, starting with the DTV, which hastily created. While I believe it's has a place, they opened it up to anyone from a song and dance so they could make a quick Bhat. Simply put, soft power has to go, no one should be able to sign up for a 6 month cooking class and get a 5 year visa. The DTV could be 5 years, but renewable yearly showing the same proof required to get it, at a fee. The number of legitimate DTV holders would drop to single digits wiping out some of these broke people.

Finally, if the authorities see someone homeless living on the street, or if a foreigner breaks the law by stealing, getting into a fight etc...it should he a slap on the hand, a 1000฿ fine or so forth, it should be arrest and then deportation with a minimum 5 year ban.

The list could go on, but all of us that live here fulltime know the government will never do anything to fix their own mess and if they do something it'll only be for a photo op and last a couple days.

11 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

They are just a bunch of born losers, that thought they could hack it, but that was just a dream!

There are no born losers. Only those who are born into a dire environment not of their choice, like poverty or having parents who either aren't around or are there but choose to abuse , neglect or spoil their children, turning them into citizens no one needs around. Made to be losers and not born.

On another thread, I mentioned homeless English guy in Suvarnabumi end of March, had plastic bag with bath gear, pillows blankets. Hard Rock Patters sweatshirt. Clearly looking to spend the night.

As airport staff was showing him the exit, crying like a child, although 70, "I have no money". Pathetic.

All of them are entitled youngsters suffering from adhd, autism and many other false mental conditions, have rocked up here thinking they can make money from social media and get stoned all day...wasters, layabouts, grifters the lot of em. 😁

Conversely, one would think the Kingdom of Thailand would treat long stay foreigners, say with a trouble free stay of 10 years to be granted Permanent Residency status. Recognizing their long term steady influence economically aiding sustain the Thai economy and in many cases Thai national family members.

Given the millions who visit Thailand every year it's surprising there aren't more cases of destitution. There will be a number of reasons why people fall into this condition, including physical and mental health issues. A significant minority, however, are those who simply lose control and overspend on wine, women and song, and wind up broke with no means by which to return to their home country. It appears that no matter how much advice/warnings these people are given it is not enough to prevent them getting into extreme difficulties, sadly.

5 hours ago, ZigM said:

I haven't seen any Caucasian foreigners (yet) who are homeless in Thailand. At least they didn't identify themselves as homeless. A homeless Cambodian is also a foreigner, right, or are we only talking about Caucasians? I know a few "farangs" who come and go. They go back to their country of origin to work and then come back for a year until they run out of money. A few live down the road. They have heavily invested in real-estate although they cannot legally own it or sell it. I know a 75-year old retired Australian who was refused a visa extension and had to leave after 60 days last year. His multiple Thai bank accounts had been frozen, he had no access to his meagre savings, and he eventually had to go back to Australia. Lucky for him, he had a return ticket. As far as I know, all of his visas were bought. He paid a fee directly to the immigration staff for an under-the-table 12-month visa for every extended stay over the past decade. That corrupt source was removed last year so that my friend had no way of getting a paid-for visa extension. In contrast, my visa is legitimate. I fully complied and exceeded all visa requirements. When the 75-year-old lamented about the corruption in Thailand, and asked me how to get a retirement visa, I explained the legal process to him. He scoffed: "Not everyone has money like you!" OK, perhaps those who didn't plan their retirement well shouldn't be here, right? If you're practically broke, you can't turn into a globetrotter on a <deleted>ty Australian pension which gets cut-off if you don't reside in Australia. How can someone complain about corruption in Thailand but then gets upset when his own corrupt visa source has been shut down? I have a real bank account because I obtained it with the correct visa. My bank account was never in danger of being suspended. I have a pink ID card and I actually have a real Thai drivers' license. By the way, I am by no means wealthy. I have savings (not a pension) and my wife has her Thai pension. It looks like we're wealthy but we're not. Good planning (budgeting) and common sense are required. I have no idea why some foreigners in Thailand might be homeless. Homelessness is nothing new. Scams are nothing new. My only fear is that Trump's war might devalue my savings if this morphs into a global financial crisis. That would be a problem. But I'm also pre-planning for that eventuality. Plan well - live well!

An Australian pension doesn't get cut when you're living overseas. In my case I don't get the pension as I didn't reside in Australia for 2 years prior to when it was due. I'm going ok as I sold my property in Australia and invested the money in a term deposit. Many expats live like tourists that's where their money goes. Once you decide to live here you need to set yourself up with a monthly budget. Set aside money for your rent, food and services and if you're that way inclined blow the rest but no more than what you budgeted for that month. I'm fortunate as I don't pay rent.

Had a decent friend, Steve from Manchester, who was homeless in Jomtien for years and years. Cleaned out by a Thai woman was what he told me. And I assume being an alcoholic didn't help him much either....

Steve was always neat and clean. Never saw him outwardly begging with a bowl or hat, but would get folks to 'sponsor' him from time to time. A Canadian even helped him write a book and get it published about his 'adventures'. He was also one of the subjects of an ITV docu section about homeless Brits in Thailand....

Police might take him in from time to time, but they never really hassled him much. He had no money so they would let him out after a day or two. Eventually he was taken in and I guess shipped back to Manchester.... he didn't look forward to that he told me once, as he'd pinched some money from his brother...

Maybe 5 years ago he was shipped out.... years kinda fly by here, ya know... I do wonder what became of him. Given his circumstances, he pulled off his homelessness with some style and grace. Unless he was very drunk....

3 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Many sex mongrels from the west who come over, play it big thanks to the cash exchange rate, get involved with a lady of small virtue usually met in a hooker bar, buy the flashy house, the flashy pick up, the flashy scooter, the more flashy toys for the drunk useless brother and other inlaws...and one fine morning, one the wife has sucked the falang dry (of his bank account), it's bye bye, she gets the home and the falang hits the road. Rather costly for a bar fine, don't you think ?

I have a new friend 🧡