Beggars

[Xircal]

I often see beggars lining the streets in some parts of Phuket, usually people with severe deformities. While I sympathise with their predicament, I often wonder how they get there? After all, they're not exactly in a position to ferry themselves around at all.

[sillyman99]

So, how do you think they get there ?

[whybother]

I think they belong to some "organisation" that takes a cut of their 'beggings'.

There is one particular beggar that used to park himself in a specific spot near Esplanade (Ratchada, Bangkok). Suddenly he started appearing in Asoke (2 kms away) and is now their regularly. He must have got a promotion, as Asoke is busier.

[capKnuckle]

if he knew he wouldnt have asked the ?.

[Xircal]

So, how do you think they get there ?

Well, I received an email transcript of your original post before you edited it, so I'll respond to that.

My question wasn't intended to be discriminatory or sarcastic. My apologies if you got that impression. I was merely curious as to whether there are bona fide organisations in Phuket that transport these hapless individuals to their destinations, or whether they're being exploited by somebody.

[mca]

I think they belong to some "organisation" that takes a cut of their 'beggings'.

There is one particular beggar that used to park himself in a specific spot near Esplanade (Ratchada, Bangkok). Suddenly he started appearing in Asoke (2 kms away) and is now their regularly. He must have got a promotion, as Asoke is busier.

Sorry to be a total shit by laughing but I've got a mental image of the CEO of beggars saying " I told you that boy would go far. Cutting his own ankle tendons. Now that's dedication "

[IanForbes]

I think they belong to some "organisation" that takes a cut of their 'beggings'.

There is one particular beggar that used to park himself in a specific spot near Esplanade (Ratchada, Bangkok). Suddenly he started appearing in Asoke (2 kms away) and is now their regularly. He must have got a promotion, as Asoke is busier.

Sorry to be a total shit by laughing but I've got a mental image of the CEO of beggars saying " I told you that boy would go far. Cutting his own ankle tendons. Now that's dedication "

:lol:

Yes, many of the beggars are brought to specific locations by the Thai mafia who "sort of" care for them, but take the bulk of their earnings. There are also hill tribe people who bring their children to town to solicit in bars. There is such a thing as "rent a baby" so tourists will have sympathy for the women. Most of the babies are drugged so they won't cry. After a while you get hardened to it and just say.. "My ow cup (krap)"

[Vertigotogo]

I think they belong to some "organisation" that takes a cut of their 'beggings'.

There is one particular beggar that used to park himself in a specific spot near Esplanade (Ratchada, Bangkok). Suddenly he started appearing in Asoke (2 kms away) and is now their regularly. He must have got a promotion, as Asoke is busier.

Sorry to be a total shit by laughing but I've got a mental image of the CEO of beggars saying " I told you that boy would go far. Cutting his own ankle tendons. Now that's dedication "

"Alms for an ex-leper" (Name the film) :-)

[edwardandtubs]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

[Thongkorn]

There are many gangs that have beggars sit in prime positions to beg , Some children use to be deliberately maimed so that they could earn a living , i don't know if this practice still goes on today . there are many Thai government adverts on the TV telling people not to give because many beggars are controlled by the Mafia.

[Shotime]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

I've been told that when they're finished begging for the day (crawling on the sidewalk), they change out of their work clothes and go home. Not ot seem insensitive, as they are impaired, but it's work for them.

[Thumpasuar]

any body ever consider doing a sting operation to film who is actually transporting some of these handicapped beggers. I have a thought about it especially when it comes to the kids.

[StreetCowboy]

8>< SNIP NESTED QUOTES DELETED ><8

"Alms for an ex-leper" (Name the film) :-)

An unemployed beggar - how low can you go.

"...He's a very naughty boy. Now Piss Off!"

SC

Seriously, though, we all have our over-heads to bear, and beggars are no different from any other employee or patron / victim of organised crime

How do you expect them to pay their turf-fees without the tourists' money? And what alternative employment can we offer them?

And if it was not for the organised crime, they would quickly fall victim to disorganised crime - or worse - the police (so our brothers in the mafia would tell us)

[bonobo]

On the overpass by the Mall Bang Khae one day, there was a healthy-looking young man begging with the still wet corpse of a drowned puppy in front of him.  His crocodile tears were copious.  

This was one of those times where I wished I was fluent in Thai so I could have told him just what I thought of him.  As it was, I just gave him my most sincere look of disdain and walked on.

[StreetCowboy]

On the overpass by the Mall Bang Khae one day, there was a healthy-looking young man begging with the still wet corpse of a drowned puppy in front of him. His crocodile tears were copious.

This was one of those times where I wished I was fluent in Thai so I could have told him just what I thought of him. As it was, I just gave him my most sincere look of disdain and walked on.

Do you think he was culturally sensitive enough to appreciate your look of disdain?

Maybe he was threatening, rather than begging - give me some money or another puppy gets it...

SC

[bonobo]

On the overpass by the Mall Bang Khae one day, there was a healthy-looking young man begging with the still wet corpse of a drowned puppy in front of him.  His crocodile tears were copious.  

This was one of those times where I wished I was fluent in Thai so I could have told him just what I thought of him.  As it was, I just gave him my most sincere look of disdain and walked on.

Do you think he was culturally sensitive enough to appreciate your look of disdain?

Maybe he was threatening, rather than begging - give me some money or another puppy gets it...

SC

Anger is anger, whether that is chimpanzee or human.  You don't need to be "culturally sensitive" to get it.  And I never write that I thought my look did anything.  I wrote that I wished I could express my feelings. I felt inadequate by just giving him a look.

And out of curiosity, how can he threaten to do anything else to a dead puppy?  And as far as I know, but forgive me if I am not culturally Thai sensitive, but since when do tears really convey a threat?

[capKnuckle]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

i always thought they used the elevator in their hiso apt bldgs:lol: . ithe legless is just an optical illusion taught by great thai magicians.--

[capKnuckle]

I think they belong to some "organisation" that takes a cut of their 'beggings'.

There is one particular beggar that used to park himself in a specific spot near Esplanade (Ratchada, Bangkok). Suddenly he started appearing in Asoke (2 kms away) and is now their regularly. He must have got a promotion, as Asoke is busier.

Sorry to be a total shit by laughing but I've got a mental image of the CEO of beggars saying " I told you that boy would go far. Cutting his own ankle tendons. Now that's dedication "

:lol:

Yes, many of the beggars are brought to specific locations by the Thai mafia who "sort of" care for them, but take the bulk of their earnings. There are also hill tribe people who bring their children to town to solicit in bars. There is such a thing as "rent a baby" so tourists will have sympathy for the women. Most of the babies are drugged so they won't cry. After a while you get hardened to it and just say.. "My ow cup (krap)"

you can actually see the breasts of some of these women as they nourish their kids. not that one actually want too as these girls are not really good looking at all:lol:

[geriatrickid]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

Well it's pretty &lt;deleted&gt; obvious isn't it? That's the trouble with you insensitive farangs, you soooooooooooooooooooooooooo don't understand the local culture. It's all about co-operation and caring.. Every morning at 6 AM sharp, the cripples are brought to their begging sites. Thais line the way to help pass the basket they are carried in to get them on their way. With great strength the people come together to climb the steps gently carrying these enterprising men and women. In the hard to get spots, such as the perches over the rail lines, ropes are used to hoist the beggars. Sometimes the rope slips and the beggers fall down into traffic or onto the rails and can get squashed. At night volunteers come along to collect the beggers. Again baskets can be used, or basic sacs. They are put into the sacks and baskets and then hung on special hooks on the begger mobile that transports them to their roomy air conditioned dormitories where they are cared for by the staff. Often they unwind watching a hilarious soap opera or kicking back over a glass of soy milk.

What i really want to know is where they pee during the day. What happens if they have to poop?

[Shotime]

What does local Thai culture, or at least the one you're talking about, have to do with Bangkok?

[Goshawk]

"Alms for an ex-leper" (Name the film) :-)

[Scully]

About 4 years ago I saw a begger crawling around with one leg, I was sat having a beer and it must of been the end of his shift because he hopped across to a food shop at the other side of the road where a lady handed him back his artificial leg.

He proceeded to walk off very well, without crawling on his hands and knees. It must have been a miracle?.

P.S. There are also still very needy people who are genuine beggers and its their only source of money. I walked over a bridge in Bangkok where a single mother with a very young baby and two toddlers were settling down for the night, I don't mind giving in cases like that.

[GuestHouse]

It's at this point down the scale of social misery that we at last find individuals that almost any ThaiVisa member can feel superior to.

[capKnuckle]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

same as you and me-elevators-escalators, have you ever seen a hi-so girl using stairs?

[onnut]

One of my first few weeks in Bangkok I saw a young boy with only one arm and no hands, he was begging in silom, so I gave him 100 baht and quick as a flash some women ran over from where she was sitting and took the money off him, spoke to him and then went back to where she was sitting. I couldnt believe my eyes, would of thought she could off waited until I was gone.

so now I do not like to give to beggers because I feel it is all just a scam.

if somebody is washing winscreens or selling flowers then no problem, I will give but not just if they have their hands out now.

I really hate the ones with small children.

[473geo]

It's at this point down the scale of social misery that we at last find individuals that almost any ThaiVisa member can feel superior to.

Superior? I probably wouldn't have the resilience to sit there all day.....good look to them, if they were given the opportunities I have enjoyed they may have done a better job than me!!!

If I have some small change I give, why not. One guy I know I occasionally drop some change in his cup, and buy a snack from the hot food vendor for him. Good for me too, the food vendor likes me, the beggar likes me, the wife gives me that special I love you smile......great result all around.....

[dmax]

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

great for all you guys with 100% body parts and brains eh ?

[craigt3365]

any body ever consider doing a sting operation to film who is actually transporting some of these handicapped beggers. I have a thought about it especially when it comes to the kids.

Bangkok Post did an article a year ago or so. They tried to interview the beggar boy and he said if he spoke with them he might get killed. It was clear he was being controlled by the local mafia. Here in Pattaya, they rounded up a gang of Cambodian's (or Burmese?) that was run by a Thai. At the end of the day he collected all their money. Very sad.

I'm always dismayed by well-meaning idiots giving their money to legless beggars on the skywalk. How do these people think these beggars manage to get themselves into the main shopping district of Bangkok and up several flights of stairs every day?

Well it's pretty &lt;deleted&gt; obvious isn't it? That's the trouble with you insensitive farangs, you soooooooooooooooooooooooooo don't understand the local culture. It's all about co-operation and caring.. Every morning at 6 AM sharp, the cripples are brought to their begging sites. Thais line the way to help pass the basket they are carried in to get them on their way. With great strength the people come together to climb the steps gently carrying these enterprising men and women. In the hard to get spots, such as the perches over the rail lines, ropes are used to hoist the beggars. Sometimes the rope slips and the beggers fall down into traffic or onto the rails and can get squashed. At night volunteers come along to collect the beggers. Again baskets can be used, or basic sacs. They are put into the sacks and baskets and then hung on special hooks on the begger mobile that transports them to their roomy air conditioned dormitories where they are cared for by the staff. Often they unwind watching a hilarious soap opera or kicking back over a glass of soy milk.

What i really want to know is where they pee during the day. What happens if they have to poop?

Wow...unreal. I've never seen that and glad I haven't. I know in India they maim themselves to get more money.

I don't give any money to the beggars. I just donate to my favorite charity here...Father Ray's.

Back in the US, there was this guy who always sat by the freeway with a sign that said "will work for food". So, one day I took him up on the offer. He politely turned me down but said cash was OK. Saw him on the news a few months later and he admitted he made like $75-100 a day this way....