Phuket To Rid Itself Of Beggars And Homeless People

[Unkomoncents]

They could more seriously affect the image of Phuket by making an attempt at basic law enforcement, controlling the locations of girly bars, putting the customer (tourist) first, and ridding the island of Russian, Japanese, Iranian, Turkish, Thai and other brazenly operating mafiaso which so commonly remind visitors of why in other countries, the police are not permitted to be their own distinct criminal organization with a pay-as-you-go investigative mentality.

[FriedMyLittleBrain]

Just WOW,great -"world-class tourist attraction."?-blah!!No crimes No charges only beggars & Phuket on top...(by the way most of Russ.tourists in Thailand who stuck by crashing tourcomp. was in Phuket & it was "world class'' when staff with police hold people without passports like dogs inside hotels ,same story in Cambodia ,India & what interesting all who was in Europe without problems back home -this is <Snip!> "world class''!!!

"Beggars in Phuket earn a good living with some making as much as 500 baht a day."-feel envy??Just maybe smbd wants this good living -what a nice thing to count beggars moneys

"Those under 18 years of age will be returned to their parents with serious reprimands. If they are orphaned, they'll be sent to an orphanage."-ahh i see this perfect picture how they do it...

"The officer urges Phuket residents not to give money to beggars'' of course...stupid farangs must give to smiling officer...Like always "decision" in beautiful simplicity...for what to nerves with real problems -better click -clack & ladies & gents welcome to Asian San-Tropez & Monte Carlo with Portofino in one ....

Edited February 8, 2012 by metisdead
Disguised profanity removed.

[uptheos]

Apparently some of the guys told me he gets picked up in a Mercedes and driven around...

What a load of &lt;deleted&gt;!

[gaucho]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

unfortunately very very true .i know of a nun who 20 years later came across a by now adult who had been snatched and it was in a different country the person was handicapped ..how terrible that they would chop a leg off .... thais can be heartless ...no flaming please i know NOT all thais cheers

[phuketrichard]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

Although this is indeed a sad event, I find it hard to believe that 3 kids were snatched together from a school area and thrown in a van.

This is not a Thailand only misfortune and happens all the time in the west as well, along with run away's that end up victims of human trafficking.

[FriedMyLittleBrain]

Sorry if bit off Topic just remember not bad at all movie "Vinyan" maybe not bad cause unbelievable beauty Emmanuelle Beart played in it- have lost their son 6 months ago in the Tsunami that wiped out a lot of the southeast Asian coastline, and they have lingered in Thailand with the thin hope that he may still be alive somewhere. At a charity even, a woman has a video of the extreme poverty of the villages along a river in central Burma.it was short episode when Burmanish gangster try to give them white little girl with wondering why they dont want she is small & white skin)))

[theanimaster]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

This isn't just a 'scare story' is it? I find it hard to believe that you were just 'fortunate' enough to hear two tales of this happening from your circle of family. Still, if it's true, then I have A LOT to be f--ing afraid of. I look after my kids all the time, however, my in-laws are Thai, and well, let's just say that they don't take these things as seriously as they should. I know this stuff happens -- just that I find it peculiar that you know of two such cases quite close to your family!

My wife and in-laws pick my kids up from school (a private school) and the school only allows people with IDs entry (although I've been able to get in all the time without an ID... maybe they just 'know' me?). However, my in-laws occasionally take the kids out after school -- when I'm still at work -- and without my knowledge. They just assume it's fine and don't want to 'inconvenience me' (or inconvenience themselves?) with a little note on where they're going.

[chatette]

If the campaign were to rid the place of corruption (and the mafia that breed in it) there'd be more wealth, fewer homeless people and more resources to provide for those (few) who legitimately are forced to beg or are homeless.

Nothing like a bit of window dressing to spruce the place up, just like the big wall built around Klong Tuay slum to (appropriately) shroud it from the illustrious attending the 1991 WB/IMF meeting.

[Gers1873]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

This isn't just a 'scare story' is it? I find it hard to believe that you were just 'fortunate' enough to hear two tales of this happening from your circle of family. Still, if it's true, then I have A LOT to be f--ing afraid of. I look after my kids all the time, however, my in-laws are Thai, and well, let's just say that they don't take these things as seriously as they should. I know this stuff happens -- just that I find it peculiar that you know of two such cases quite close to your family!

My wife and in-laws pick my kids up from school (a private school) and the school only allows people with IDs entry (although I've been able to get in all the time without an ID... maybe they just 'know' me?). However, my in-laws occasionally take the kids out after school -- when I'm still at work -- and without my knowledge. They just assume it's fine and don't want to 'inconvenience me' (or inconvenience themselves?) with a little note on where they're going.

I tend to be reminded of Lou Reed when I hear 'stories' in Thailand.

'Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see'

.

[toenail]

Are the government officials clueless or what...???? You want to improve Phuket's international image? Crack down on the tuk-tuk rudeness and monopoly, get rid of the Jet skis scammers. I do not find the beggers as offensive as the mofia magots that survive off human beings. (I guess it is easier to pick on the needy)

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

Anyone who knows Bangkok will have seen the guy who begs on Sukhumvit with no arms and legs..and who always lies on his stomach even in the most torrential downpour I saw him still begging!Was over at Salendang one day and who do I see..him!!Apparently some of the guys told me he gets picked up in a Mercedes and driven around...

He still does't have any arms or legs...

[metisdead]

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[connda]

That should make room for more sophisticated scam artists.

[connda]

Oh by the way...for any good-hearted, tourists who may read this -- do not give them money!!! They are manipulated by human-traffickers, and if you contribute, you are essentially contributing to the spread of human-trafficking.

Contribute to charities, or drive out to the villages, find a poor family, and hand them some cash. Much good will come out of the latter.

[Arkady]

There's far too much money in begging for this crack down to be successful and the police as usual are up to their necks in filth. Even the Queen's warning about the abuse of children by begging syndicates in Hua Hin in the early 2000s only resulted in a two week crackdown before the BIB gave them the green light to get the gravy flowing again.

The only value of this grandstanding nonsense is Kananga's warning about the aduction of children by the well connected gangsters who organise begging. Watch out.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Arkady

[sirchai]

Last year, Phuket officials were able to arrest 30 beggars. In January alone,

Time to take my elephant and move up country......

The right time on Valentine's to show how much you love other people. is it a part of Thai culture, or just ignorance? ( Who cares?)

Edited February 8, 2012 by sirchai

[sirchai]

Oh by the way...for any good-hearted, tourists who may read this -- do not give them money!!! They are manipulated by human-traffickers, and if you contribute, you are essentially contributing to the spread of human-trafficking.

Contribute to charities, or drive out to the villages, find a poor family, and hand them some cash. Much good will come out of the latter.

Forget the so called "charities"! Great idea to drive to villages, but it's better to give them food and something to drink. (not Lao Khao)

[harrycallahan]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

This isn't just a 'scare story' is it? I find it hard to believe that you were just 'fortunate' enough to hear two tales of this happening from your circle of family. Still, if it's true, then I have A LOT to be f--ing afraid of. I look after my kids all the time, however, my in-laws are Thai, and well, let's just say that they don't take these things as seriously as they should. I know this stuff happens -- just that I find it peculiar that you know of two such cases quite close to your family!

My wife and in-laws pick my kids up from school (a private school) and the school only allows people with IDs entry (although I've been able to get in all the time without an ID... maybe they just 'know' me?). However, my in-laws occasionally take the kids out after school -- when I'm still at work -- and without my knowledge. They just assume it's fine and don't want to 'inconvenience me' (or inconvenience themselves?) with a little note on where they're going.

Nah it's true, I met a girl at Nana Plaza and had some drinks and then it all went hazy, can't remember a thing. Woke up in an ice bath in some hotel with a scar around where my kidneys are, or used to be.

Some how this is related.

[KRS1]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

They should locate kids with missing limbs, wait until they get picked up then cut off the limbs of the mafia members doing this to children. Not just one, all of them.

[Commentor]

How can they be world class even though the beggars and homeless are swieep away while the corruptors are still on the streets??

Sawadee Krap !!

[KeyserSoze01]

Phuket will be ridding its streets of beggars and homeless people on February 14 to improve its image as a world-class tourist attraction.

Do the Thais think of anything else except their image?

Image is one thing, but without substance to support the image, all you build is a house of cards.

[pacovl46]

Getting rid of beggars and homeless people to improve its image as a world-class tourist attraction???

How about getting rid of the jet ski scammers and the tuk tuk and taxi drivers first???!!! Once they're gone people actually might have some money left in their pockets to give it to the homeless people and the beggars.

It's so typical! Instead of addressing the real problem, some front-end gardening is being done! It's pathetic!

Edited February 8, 2012 by metisdead
Bold font removed. Posting in all capitals or in all bold, and using large or unusual fonts and colors is bad netiquette.

[KeyserSoze01]

How does one get rid of homeless people ?

by giving them a home ?

They could treat me as well as the refugees from Myanmar by putting them in a boat and towing them out to sea without food or water.

[MarkCyr]

Although it's likely to be a flash in the pan, I hope this is something they continue to enforce. More than anything, I really would love to see the kids taken off the street. It drives me mental when these very young kids are running around trying to sell glow sticks or gum at 2am in Pattaya...or lying on a woman's lap pretending to be sick...there's no way that isn't harming them psychologically and developmentally. So if this actually is enforced, it will be a step in the right direction.

In fact, most of the beggars are not beggars or homeless at all, but are instead a very lucrative tool for mafia-connected handlers. There's a guy you often see with no legs pulling himself along on Sukhumvit around Nana. We saw him one night there...then about two hours later in Siam. So either somebody is driving him, or he is the first beggar with the power of flight. It's all a scam. Having said that, he once tugged my leg in a thunder storm as he lie there half covered in water and mud. I just dug into my pocket and threw everything in there into his plastic cup. I hope he got to keep that because he certainly earned it!

[dude007]

May I suggest some real priorities instead of cracking down on poor people (irrelevant of their nationality) who are victims of the Thai society and policies?

1. the tuk-tuk mafia: abolish the whole system and replace by metered taxis with licensed drivers (with compulsory certificate of lessons in elementary politeness);

2. Police in Pathong. I have seen their mediating in traffic accident cases where "farangs" are involved: a real shame! Crap to be send to the deep south and replaced by educated people with a common sense of knowledge of what is right and wrong, not what is "Thai" and "farang";

3. the jet-scooter-scams and motorbike scams: comprehensive insurance should be compulsory. Cheaters in jail;

4. cheating travel agents and "helpful persons" at the airport. It's soon getting worse than in Suvarnabhumi International Airport!

5. The water distribution company: cutting water supply for many hours a day (so called due to shortage) in order to support the water supply companies (belonging to politicians and rich crooked local people) with their water-tank-vehicles (maffia as well) delivering water to hotels and tourist business at incredible rip-off prices;

6. the katoey night-thieves. Get rid of them and give them back their dick (eventually a silicone substitute) so that they can conduct a normal life again...

7. construct the tunnel under Pathong Hill in order to save lifes from accidents with cars, trucks, motorbike drivers and innocent bus passengers visiting Pathong from Phuket downtown;

8. Police: stop chasing and harrassing motorbike-drivers at your check-points to fine them and extort bribes (way more expensive than e.g. in BKK). They are the solution to Phuket's traffic problem! Acknowledge this! You should support them!

9. Issue everywhere car-numberplates that can be read by foreigners (you can start with Phuket island being known as a first class tourist destination). Thai-only numberplates are a cheap and clever solution to escape from whatever accident with foreigners speeding away from the place of the accident, because no foreigner can read the numberplate! Remember when Thai cars are entering Malaysia: there is no deal with these Thai numberplates: they have to be replaced by international plates or go back to your country!!!!

10. Respect foreign cultures as well. Start with courtesy on the road: respect zebra-paths and give pedestrians priority when they want to cross the road on a zebra-path!

Points 11 to 20 are for next time... We have to go slowly to get the message through!!

[lensta]

Anyone who knows Bangkok will have seen the guy who begs on Sukhumvit with no arms and legs..and who always lies on his stomach even in the most torrential downpour I saw him still begging!Was over at Salendang one day and who do I see..him!!Apparently some of the guys told me he gets picked up in a Mercedes and driven around...

He was known as the inch worm back in the days. Made at least 30,000 baht a month easy

Probably the same bloke we call "The Soi 7 Slider"

[housepainter]

Obviously no gypsies then or else it would be a perfect replica of Hitler's Nazi attack upon the Jews.

That should bring the tourists flooding in - well the Germans at least.

Phuket's social development and human security officer Chuanchom Chantawong is wrong when identifying beggars and homeless people as preventing efforts to become a world-class tourist destination. A more obvious reason is the useless police, the lawlessness, the local mafias, the high murder rate, the attacks upon foreigners and the endemic corruption.

May I also point out that 'flea markets' do not rank on anyone's list as a world tourist attraction. Unless of course it is a world heritage flea market.

If, persons are 'forced into the human trafficking trade' this should be tackled. Not the victims of human trafficking themselves, who are victims. Who in their right mind would ever target the victims of a problem? This is Thailand.

Of what relevance to the story is, 'Beggars in Phuket earn a good living with some making as much as 500 baht a day.' If this were the case then accept them and leave them alone as it must be the foreign visitors who are donating these monies. Therefore, by supporting the beggars they are accepting of them and not repulsed by them. Also, they recognise that beggars are a result of Thailand's attitude towards many of its population. Where is the social infra structure or welfare to support the groups identified here: the elderly, single mothers or the disabled. The latter being treated as a source of humour amongst the able bodied Thais.

Hitler built his concentration camps as part of the final solution. Here, we are told that: 'Arrested beggars and homeless people who are 18 to 60 years of age will be sent to a shelter.' It is risible to suggest that they will 'receive training to find another occupation so they don't return to begging.' Where are the jobs in Thailand that provide a living wage? Furthermore, the idea that 'Those under 18 years of age will be returned to their parents with serious reprimands.' Parenal responsibility, let alone chastisement, is non-existant in Thailand. They do not control, contain or discipline their children.

What is worse is that the orphaned, they'll be sent to an orphanage. Imagine how poorly resourced they are. I imagine that penned pigs are better treated, fed and watered.

Those who are above 60 will be sent to the elderly home. Unlike European countries where care homes for the elderly are plentiful and a common site everywhere, I have yet to come across one in Thailand.

If the homeless or the beggar is mentally-ill or has a contagious disease, the public health office will step in. There is no mental health care in Thailand. There are no hospitals for the mentally ill. Mental health is not understood or funded or provided for. The treatment of the mentally ill is tantamount to an 19th century Bedlam and by implication an excuse for abuse and negleect.

The Thais love their crackdowns. It is their way of acknowledging a problem and accepting that they neither have the will, resource or intention of doing anything about it. Fortunately, this is the case here. Those unfortunate, neglected persons who have fallen through the chasms, not cracks, of Thai society, will soon be left alone. Another crackdown, perhaps by the police on themsleves will soon be dreampt up. Knee jerking reactions to events and constantly playing catch-up will keep thes mouth piece officials and departments occupied for a long time to come.

The crackdown will start on February 14 and no doubt be finished in time for lunch.

If ever these peole were serious they'd be dangerous. If ever they were able to act with determination they'd do some real damage. If ever they were to be taken seriously it would be us, not them, who had clearly lost the plot.

[Kananga]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

This isn't just a 'scare story' is it? I find it hard to believe that you were just 'fortunate' enough to hear two tales of this happening from your circle of family. Still, if it's true, then I have A LOT to be f--ing afraid of. I look after my kids all the time, however, my in-laws are Thai, and well, let's just say that they don't take these things as seriously as they should. I know this stuff happens -- just that I find it peculiar that you know of two such cases quite close to your family!

My wife and in-laws pick my kids up from school (a private school) and the school only allows people with IDs entry (although I've been able to get in all the time without an ID... maybe they just 'know' me?). However, my in-laws occasionally take the kids out after school -- when I'm still at work -- and without my knowledge. They just assume it's fine and don't want to 'inconvenience me' (or inconvenience themselves?) with a little note on where they're going.

Why on earth would I lie about this to 'scare' people? If you want the name of the school in Cha Am I'll ask my wife and PM it to you. You can then make your own enquiries. Where do you think these children lining the streets begging come from? They don't get plucked off the begging tree. I don't care if any of you believe me or not but if you would rather dig your heads in the sand instead of admit that this is a fairly common problem in Thailand that gets very little media attention and zero assistance from the police then you are letting your children down.

All I am saying is I have heard of two separate incidents alone so unless I was 'fortunate' as you put it to hear of the only two incidents in the whole of Thailand it's safe to assume this kind of thing is more common than you would be led to believe. If you want to believe me or not then that's totally up to you. I don't know any of you and I therefore dont really care. However I do urge you to be vigilant with regards to your children's safety. Especially in crowded places and ensure there is adequate safety precautions which are actually enforced in their schools.

[Kananga]

On a serious note to those of you with young children, a friend of my wife was in a shopping centre in Bangkok when her 4 year old son was snatched when she wasn't looking. About a year later her son called out to her from the side of the road. She didnt recognise him. He has a shaven head and was missing one of his legs. He was stolen and used for professional begging.

In another incident my niece was at school in Cha Am and went to the toilet at lunch time. When she came back the 3 friends she was having lunch with had been snatched and thrown in a van.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch your children at all times and as soon as they are old enough explain the dangers of wandering off, talking to strangers, make them memorise your phone number etc. This happens A LOT in Thailand and it very rarely makes the news.

Although this is indeed a sad event, I find it hard to believe that 3 kids were snatched together from a school area and thrown in a van.

This is not a Thailand only misfortune and happens all the time in the west as well, along with run away's that end up victims of human trafficking.

I have no reason to lie and neither does my wife. I can get you the name of the school if you want to make your own enquiries. It's now safe to say that my niece goes to a new school with far better security!

The police apparently caught the gang that was operating in that area but as far as my wife knows they still haven't found the children from the school. If you have kids just look after them and make sure they are not left in a position where they can be taken. Over and out.

[PoodMaiDai]

Of all the nasty things in Phuket, homeless people are not one of them.

So they do another "crackdown" and within a few months, maybe even weeks, they will be back.

The police are often part of the mafia group that handles the homeless.