Escobar69 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 (edited) I see it all the time. All the hard working, very poor Thais are lined up manning their corn/noodle/fruit/ice cream/coffee/shoe repair/som tum/phone holder stand and then a beggar walks through, stops in front of each of them and asks for money. 75-80% of them then give it to him, so this beggar probably makes 10 times more in a day then they do. Why oh why? Edited July 12, 2009 by Escobar69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmaveric Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Goodluck - help out those less fortunate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harcourt Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 "...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..." Or what about good old human compassion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulUSA302 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Maybe they know this person. Maybe they can see them self in this person. If they are giving I am sure they have good reason to give. I can even imagine that they know this person who now has nothing and comes to them for help. I wonder how many have once resorted to begging, got back on their feet and are now in the position to help out another person who is down on his or her luck. I enjoy giving to those in need while in Thailand because they show such genuine gratitude that it does your heart good to think that you are making their life that much less sadder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Maybe they know this person. Maybe they can see them self in this person. If they are giving I am sure they have good reason to give. I can even imagine that they know this person who now has nothing and comes to them for help. I wonder how many have once resorted to begging, got back on their feet and are now in the position to help out another person who is down on his or her luck.I enjoy giving to those in need while in Thailand because they show such genuine gratitude that it does your heart good to think that you are making their life that much less sadder. Yes most thais I have met are a generous bunch and I am always happy to pass on a few baht As for the farang beggars around suk....why??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
473geo Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 I doubt they bother to calculate the annual or daily income of the beggar!! A simple do good...... brings good..... is enough reason to give...especially if you are in business Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Its a simple compassion for your neighbours which is sadly disappearing fast in the uk long may it continue in los Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escobar69 Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 "...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..."Or what about good old human compassion? Is this a joke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escobar69 Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Yes most thais I have met are a generous bunch and I am always happy to pass on a few baht perhaps that is why they are so poor? surely, a person with the slightest bit of intelligence realizes how silly/unproductive it is to give money to someone begging for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Yes most thais I have met are a generous bunch and I am always happy to pass on a few baht perhaps that is why they are so poor? surely, a person with the slightest bit of intelligence realizes how silly/unproductive it is to give money to someone begging for it. And your more useful alternative is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnvic Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 I feel shamed now. That fellow in Chinatown with no legs would probably be an executive now had I not given him that twenty. (not to be confused with the legless expats in Bangkok) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAceFace Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Some people just have nothing, through no fault of their own. If I don't need it, then I would and do help out the less fortunate out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsun240Z Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 beggars = secret millionairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmaveric Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Well known scam - gangs control these beggars and well the takes are most likely not going to the beggar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harcourt Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 "...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..."Or what about good old human compassion? Is this a joke? Not a joke.... Some people have a thing called "compassion", obviously not you. "...surely, a person with the slightest bit of intelligence realizes how silly/unproductive it is to give money to someone begging for it..."(Escobar69) I'm certain I have at least a slight bit of intelligence, and I do not realise how silly/unproductive it is, therefore your statement is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lioness Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 My husband and I always make sure we have some small change to hand when we shop at the local markets. We laughingly refer to it as Par Si - tax. In our local market there is a man with no legs skating along on a piece of wood with wheels under it, a lady with only one arm who is also blind. Yes, it's compassion for those that have farl ess than we do, and every little bit helps, as a general rule people only give a few baht, less than most folks would spend on a beer or a packet of cigarettes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daoyai Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 If the person is very old, (and obviously not cared for by family), deformed or disabled, give a little, there is no social security here. In some areas the prime tourist begging spots are controlled and rented out by the police. That good looking well spoken Burmese guy in C.M. that lost a leg below the knee makes quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lopburi99 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I always give a few baht to a deformed or disabled beggar because I pity such an unfortunate soul. Pure and simple. Maybe I can make a small difference in his/her day. Makes me realize how very, very lucky I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heng Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) I don't give to beggars but will donate to a few charities, and mostly in goods, rarely cash, with our company logo in stickers or inked across the front to prevent (to an extent) resale of said goods. I do try to balance that with my belief that the more someone gets something for free, the less able they are going to be able to get it for themselves in the long run.... usually only donating to charities with younger children and infants in their care, not working aged teenager type organizations. As for why... not so much as to feel good, as I usually feel pretty good anyway, nor for karma, which I don't believe even exists. Kind of to keep things in perspective on how fortunate I am, and so family members can keep that lesson in mind as well. Edited July 13, 2009 by Heng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naam Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 "...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..."Or what about good old human compassion? Is this a joke? some people might consider your question a joke. i don't as it's a dàmn stupid one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggie888888 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I see it all the time. All the hard working, very poor Thais are lined up manning their corn/noodle/fruit/ice cream/coffee/shoe repair/som tum/phone holder stand and then a beggar walks through, stops in front of each of them and asks for money. 75-80% of them then give it to him, so this beggar probably makes 10 times more in a day then they do. Why oh why? there is a fine line between true charity and misplaced compassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longstebe Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I always give a few baht to a deformed or disabled beggar because I pity such an unfortunate soul. Pure and simple. Maybe I can make a small difference in his/her day. Makes me realize how very, very lucky I am. Same same for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geekfreaklover Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I've alwasy been under the impression that most beggars on suk road are not Thai (normally Cambodoan/ vietnamese) put there in the morning by Thai organised gangs - much like the Indian situation - picked up at night and relieved of their earnings. Or am I being cynical? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtoad Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I enjoy giving to those in need while in Thailand because they show such genuine gratitude that it does your heart good to think that you are making their life that much less sadder. So why are you scared to come to Thailand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtoad Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well known scam - gangs control these beggars and well the takes are most likely not going to the beggar. I've often wondered how some of the profoundly disabled get on to the top of the footbridges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonspot Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I enjoy giving to those in need while in Thailand because they show such genuine gratitude that it does your heart good to think that you are making their life that much less sadder. So why are you scared to come to Thailand? I think instead of answering your stupid question, we should just assume you don't know how to read. There, now I feel sorry for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well known scam - gangs control these beggars and well the takes are most likely not going to the beggar. This is true, but only in well known tourist areas. It seldom happens in Thai village areas who know what is going on. I trust the Thais to know who are legitimate and who aren't. As for myself I believe in helping those in need to help themselves. I've been able to set up a few Thai families in small businesses to help themselves. I know several others who have done the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtoad Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I enjoy giving to those in need while in Thailand because they show such genuine gratitude that it does your heart good to think that you are making their life that much less sadder. So why are you scared to come to Thailand? I think instead of answering your stupid question, we should just assume you don't know how to read. There, now I feel sorry for you. Thanks, it must have taken you some time to write that. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G54 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Yes most thais I have met are a generous bunch and I am always happy to pass on a few baht perhaps that is why they are so poor? surely, a person with the slightest bit of intelligence realizes how silly/unproductive it is to give money to someone begging for it. And if that person is unable to work due to some disability, or some mental illness or a deformity, why is it so counter-productive to give a small amount to them? Have you never heard of compassion? Never been down at heel yourself at some time? (if not, count yourself very lucky). Many of us believe in Karma and also believe that to help in a small way is good for your own heart because you feel you have helped someone. Not everyone is a tight arse and it is a good thing too or else there would be many more problems in this world from lack of a bit of charity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdman Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Better give food and clothes than money. Edited July 13, 2009 by Birdman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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