Homeless foreigners in Thailand 'lack assistance'

[MaxYakov]

Many of them have an alcohol abuse problems and are on welfare in their home countries and come here for winter as it is way too cold living on the streets in Northern Europe.

I know of one European man who has been deported 10 times and returned every year, to be deported again!

Problem is once you are overstayed, the police are often reticent (read lazy) to arrest you and most embassies do not have the funding to pay for your deportation.

As their is no blacklisting for repeat overstaying, Thailand will continue to be subject to street farangs till the laws change!

There is one British guy in the IDC for some time now, who does not have money to buy a ticket home, who is slowly going crazy.

… and most embassies do not have the funding to pay for your deportation.

Here is the point I don’t understand. As a retiree or husband of a Thai woman you have to show proof of pension money or income and park a lot of money in the bank. Thailand’s immigration can refuse entry to the country if you don’t have 20.000 Baht in your pocket or your bank account.

Then why do they allow countries to operate an embassy over here if they don’t have enough funds to take care of their citizen?

Because giving money to their citizens is not a law they operate under, the US Embassy cannot buy you a ticket home. You got here on your own wwhy is someone else responsible for you getting back.

The US has been operating their laws lately? I'm sure the current regime can repatriate them under some bizarre interpretation of some existing law such as ... errr ... economic refugees?

[JO1973]

I think there's a big difference between those who burned out and became homeless because of drugs and those who were "duped or robbed by Thai wives or partners". In the latter case I think there should be some attempt by the goverment to mitigate these people's losses -- particularly as quite often their losses equate to their life savings. I'm not talking about just giving them money but bringing legal action on their behalf against their former spouses/partners.

For those who fell to drugs the government would be wise to get them into some type of treatment and then ultimately sent home.

[MILT]

what is the moral of this story?

No more turning away from weak and the weary!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DODKTN3O2s

[gwynt]

"In some cases, these foreigners... often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners..."

...and of course the usual, emphatic reaction on TV is "som nam na", "what the f... do I care", "deport the idiots" etc.

No, that's not it at all. People on here can't reverse the fact that they may have been duped that in the past. Having them deported home where there is possible family and services available is far more humane than leaving them to live and die with the soi dogs.

At least there is a soi dog foundation in Bangkok, supported by many expats, maybe there is not enough interest and support to do the same for destitute expats.

[Notstupid30]

Homeless: More Young People Sleeping Rough

Statistics show more young people are being forced onto the streets as a new theatre play shines the spotlight on the crisis.

As statistics show more young people are becoming homeless in the UK, a new play questions why more is not being done to help those forced onto the streets.

Government figures show the number of people sleeping rough in England has increased by a third since 2010.

In London alone, 6,437 people slept rough during 2012-13, a 62% rise in two years.

Campaigners say there is a risk this trend could continue, given youth unemployment, the economic downturn and the pressures on low income families, combined with changes within welfare reform, reduction of public services and the general squeezing of housing supply and affordability of accommodation.

The official figures do not account for the hidden homeless.

Source :http://news.sky.com/story/1124291/homeless-more-young-people-sleeping-rough

Things are just as bad in other parts of the world even for young people ..

Edited August 19, 2013 by metisdead
Edited as per fair use policy.

[jameson2wheels]

As I suffered. stroke, have had bought of mental problems, been ripped off in more than one country, due to my own stupidity or cleverness of the other, I have read your reviews of a part of any societies sad aspects and deplore and reject the insensitive and negative comments displayed here concerning the plight of a homeless or other person in need of any form of care. You naysayers...do you also wish us to treat you in the same manner when your turn comes ? Will we wash you down the sink as well, shall we judge and condemn you for any issues you have.

A person or animal in need is just that..in need.

[Card]

I once offered to buy a young begging westerner some food but he refused as he just wanted the money, supposedly for a plane ticket. I told him to go to his embassy. Don't the embassies do anything in such situations? At least offer to get in touch with relatives to arrange money transfers?

[johnthompson]

These people disgusts me. They come to thailand and live the good life. Then they end op broke and it is society that has to take care of them because of their irresponsibility.

Its pathetic to see them. They give all the foreigners a bad name. They should immediately be deported and blacklisted.

[snot goblin]

I think there's a big difference between those who burned out and became homeless because of drugs and those who were "duped or robbed by Thai wives or partners". In the latter case I think there should be some attempt by the goverment to mitigate these people's losses -- particularly as quite often their losses equate to their life savings. I'm not talking about just giving them money but bringing legal action on their behalf against their former spouses/partners.

For those who fell to drugs the government would be wise to get them into some type of treatment and then ultimately sent home.

and the downside: farangs would then suddenly seem oh so less handsum

[keestha]

The social services in most European countries do not help those poor people.

Why?

Because they did not pay the required premiums, or whatever names are used.

Face it, they left the country, most do not pay taxes & all any more, and are not welcome back.....at all.

They won't exactly have a smooth ride, but if they are still capable to sort things out, they will be helped. First of all they need an address to get registered , if there is no family/friends who can help out some internet searching will show them where to get help with this, and then they can apply for financial assistance from the state (municipality).

[Notstupid30]

These people disgusts me. They come to thailand and live the good life. Then they end op broke and it is society that has to take care of them because of their irresponsibility.

Its pathetic to see them. They give all the foreigners a bad name. They should immediately be deported and blacklisted.

Here what we offer our uk citizens

What kind of help we can provide

We offer help which is appropriate to the individual

circumstances of each case, including:

> Issuing replacement travel documents.

> Providing information about transferring funds.

> Providing appropriate help if you have suffered

rape or serious sexual or physical assault, are a

victim of other crimes, are ill or in hospital.

> Providing details of local lawyers, interpreters,

doctors and funeral directors.

> Doing all we properly can to contact you within 24

hours of being told that you have been detained.

> Offering support and help in a range of other

cases, such as child abductions, death of relatives

overseas, missing people and kidnappings.

> Contacting family or friends for you if you want.

> Making special arrangements in cases of terrorism,

civil unrest or natural disasters.

> Providing documentary services such as consular

birth or death registration, help with marriage or

civil partnership documents or providing notarial

services as appropriate.

We cannot:

> Help you enter a country, for example, if you do

not have a visa or your passport is not valid;

because each country can decide who they allow

into their country and (outside the EU) no country

has any obligation to explain their decisions to the

British Government.

> Ensure your safety and security in another country;

because such issues are the responsibility of the

government and authorities oof that country

> Give you legal advice or translate documents,

although we can give you details of people

who may be able to help you in these cases,

such as English-speaking lawyers or professional

translators/interpreters;

because such support is best provided by

independent professionals and we do not have the

funding or the expertise to provide such specialist

services.

> Carry out searches for missing people;

because doing so is the responsibility of the local

authorities and to search effectively requires the

resources that only local authorities can provide.

> Investigate crimes, get you out of prison, prevent

the local authorities from deporting you after your

prison sentence, or interfere in criminal or civil

court proceedings;

because we cannot interfere in another country’s

processes, and must respect their systems just as

we expect them to respect the UK’s laws and legal

processes.

> Get you better treatment in prison than local

prisoners (although we may raise concerns

with local authorities if treatment falls below

internationally recognised standards) or get you

better treatment in hospital than the treatment

that is given to local people;

because we cannot interfere in another country’s

processes just as we would not accept such

interference in the UK.

> Pay any bills or give you money from public funds;

because we are not funded to do this and it is the

obligation of individuals to take responsibility for

themselves. It would be unfair for those who take

out insurance to subsidise those who do not.

> Make travel arrangements for you, or find you

work or accommodation, or make business

arrangements on your behalf;

because they are private arrangements which are

your responsibility to make for yourself.

> Get involved in private disputes over property,

employment, commercial or other matters;

because we are in no position to judge the facts

and have no jurisdiction overseas to resolve such

matters.

source:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224126/FCOBritsAbroadA4_0713xx.pdf

[nami]

So then all western countries should send all thai nationals back to Thailand, currently living in europe and who would be homeless if the social systems have not protecting them getting that! What one expect of a country who do not care about their poor or homeless? Deciding yourself lifing in Thailand must taken carefully because otherwise sometimes you go back only in a coffin before being robbed of all your assets!

thai nationals or thai immigrants? if they are legal immigrants, then they should be entitled to whatever social welfare systems that's already in place.

thailand (and almost all of asia) doesn't have a welfare system.

That's not exactly true. It's not a universal welfare system, but then not even the USA has that. On the other hand, in my shitty country in Europe even the illegal migrants can get free treatment in the public hospitals (shitty the country, but this is good).

I work and pay my taxes here and got my social security card. When I get sick or have some problem I can go to the public hospitals without paying. Isn't that a welfare system? Not universal access because you need to be working but that is the same in many western countries.

[MobileContent]

I think not all foreigners on the street in Thailand have been duped by their Thai wife or girl friends. Many just drunk the money away and also banged to much around in the bars.

I know one guy from Europe that always got money from his mother (around 1500 Euros per month) and he was broke after 2 weeks as he banged the money away. When mum stopped helping him, he asked for a ticket home and she gladly paid it online and he got an electronic ticket in his email account. He thought she would WU him the money but I advised her send him an e-ticket.

[Lancelot]

Homeless people is truly a world problem. Oh to spend a fraction of the International Defense budget on caring for them...

Back on topic foreign embassies have a responsibility to assist their nationals, especially those that are truly destitute and with mental health issues.

I would think it would also be in the Thai authorities to assist foreigners who are homeless- farangs sleeping on the streets is bad for business.

The Land of Smiles product...

[tinhead]

Having personally paid to assist a destitute foreigner (Swiss national) to return to his homeland, I was appalled to see that him return to Bangkok some months later, back in the same position.

Homeless, and relying on the sympathy of ladyboys and other foreigners to survive.

Not a big fan of the fact that he was let back in the country when clearly he didn't have resources for the trip.

[ginjag]

"In some cases, these foreigners... often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners..."

...and of course the usual, emphatic reaction on TV is "som nam na", "what the f... do I care", "deport the idiots" etc.

Make your bed and you lay on it. BUT a vast amount of persons stupid or not fell into the love trap, and were ripped off by families. Much of this could be avoided if Thailand gives a little on plot of land - small area only to have in their name.

This is not for land grabbers and should be the only for an individual-1 plot only.

This way would give that little security most need. I'm convinced most of the problems stem from this problem, thrown out, no money left, no car etc.

After all Thailand cannot lose it will always have the land after the initial purchase should anything happen to them he cannot take it with him.

Of course there are a minority who are of the crazy type who come -blow the lot , on drugs/alcohol/sex, not a lot you can do about them only deport.

give a year visa person the little power to stop the biggest problem of stealing of houses, to put a curb on some of these evil families.

[arend]

Christian groups, could use some of your charity here....soup kitchen?, dorm? counseling?

[jack1964]

Sometimes there is no going back. If you were a drunk or an addict in your own country, it will only be magnified ten fold in Thailand. Any pain you felt in your home country as a drunk or an addict will also be magnified. A person with one ounce of desire to dig himself out of a hole will. When you believe that all hope is gone, and there is no more standing up, you will lie down. The problem with addictions is the depression that you felt early on is exacerbated until such time as it consumes you. These homeless people do not want to go home. It would appear that they would be quite happy to die here on the streets in Thailand, than return home to some sort of assistance. Suicide is suicide, be is the quick or the slow route. The destination is the same. D-D-D is drink,drugs,depression, and for that one rarely has an answer. When it gets to this point for any human being, unless they can break the cycle, the will continue on their sad journey. But statistically the numbers are not that high, it is just they stand out. It is a very sad situation, and unfortunately there is no easy answer. Some will see doing it tough in Thailand, drinking until you can drink no more, and dying slowly in a warm climate in a country that they grew to love, a far better life choice than going back to what they escaped from in the first place to be incarcerated in a social welfare system that ultimately degrades you anyway, and causes you to pray for a quick death. Sad but so bloody true. What options do Thailand really have when faced with this dilemma. Unfortunately the only thing that they can do is have them deported, to face uncertainty in their own country. Dreams can turn into nightmares quickly, and it is not a society's nor countries job to clean up after the dreamer. Such is life.

[DocN]

So this is what 60% of ThaiVisa forum posters are like. Eye-opening!

"In some cases, these foreigners... often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners..."

...and of course the usual, emphatic reaction on TV is "som nam na", "what the f... do I care", "deport the idiots" etc.

Oh of course, if it's foreigners we must show sympathy. But god forbid if the article in question is talking about Thais!

You will find that this is not a forum which assists the Thai people in their delusions of normality nor those who subscribe to the erroneous belief that this is a caring nation in any manner except the financial.

If you want to praise these people, look elsewhere. We here are blunt and honest, and we tell it like it is, without blinkers or the starry-eyed view of those who do not see the reality.

We may appear to be uncaring and vicious at times but it is done in the hope that someone, somewhere here might just finally take notice and instigate change.

Yep...helping people in need is totally wrong!

If you want a job, you will find one!

If you don't like it, go home to your Nanny-state!

I hate people, who are just looking fir handouts...

Honestly...I really hope, that some of you-by some mean twist of fate- wake up in a situation, where they need help...and run into a bunch, like yourselves!

[dudu]

When your trust, Love and finances have been taken, when you gave your best and got the worst, when only an empty shell is left, all emotions are drained and you don't care anymore, you just let go, some of us can get back up, some of us can't,regardless whose fault it may have been to get you in this situation, I feel sorry for them, in any country.

[nami]

How sad, and also sad to read such comments. We all know what happens when these people are detained: They are sent to the extremely crowded immigration jails while waiting for the money to pay for the flight back home, some people stay there for years because most embassies won't pay for the ticket and is evaluated on a case by case basis. I remember reading some good (and sad) posts from fellow member Morakot about this subject.

Well at least they would have a place to sleep and 3 meals a day! Even if they are crappy meals, it's food. I don't feel sorry for these homeless farangs. Most wasted all their money on girls and alcohol. Just like one poster said about the Swede guy who was drunk on Soi Nana. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Thailand has enough problems with their own people to be mucking around with homeless foreigners. The amnesty bill, the Muslims in the south, countless young woman selling their bodies to support their children and dead beat thai husbands, a decreasing farming industry and rice export! It's time to discuss more sensible things!

Well, I don't have to much sympathy for people who ruined their lives themselves, hut you can't generalize that much because there are many cases where this won't be true. Anyway, staying in a Thai jail for years just because you didn't have money is too much IMO. BTW inmates are feed once per day in prisons here, not sure about immigration cells. You could live way better staying outside and eating from temples.

[smotherb]

often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners, Natee explained.

Quite often I would say.

How is it that does happen so often? Are male foreigners unusually susceptible to being duped by Southeast Asian females? I say SEA females because I have specific knowledge of the duped

man in dozens of foreigner/local relationships in Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Why is the Western man so stupid? Often the woman in question was purchased for a fee and the

man is enthralled by the sex.

Allow me to hypothesize that a man should treat a woman of negotiable virtue as one would treat a cold beer. I refer to it as the "Cold Beer theory."

When you want a cold beer, you seek it out, select the one you want, consume it, pay for it and

either order another or leave. You do not think of taking it home with you unless you intend

to consume it there. Once the beer is consumed at home, you throw the bottle out; you do not

think of setting up a relationship with that bottle.

[hawker9000]

I was in a situation back in 1995 where I was visiting Thailand and had to give my savings to my family due to a family illness back home and had to give the family my savings. I wanted to stay in Thailand so I went to a temple close to the Burma border. They gave me a "quitee", 1 room home, at the temple to live in, free food and 4000 baht a month to teach English to monks, novices, the local high school and even police and the army. I also did their web site as I knew HTML language. As long as I stayed at the temple I didn't need a work permit as a volunteer. Here I met several Thais from Bangkok and Chiang Mai and they gave me jobs making web sites for their companies, work permit and everything.

I am now retired with savings and investments I made while working with these wonderful Thai people who gave me a fresh start.

If these homeless people want to stay here have them go to a temple to live. The Abbot will be glad to have them so they can give something to the Thai people like teaching English and it will be returned to them in bunches. The Thais and I believe anyone will help tose who want to help themself. Hanging out and begging ain't gona cut it and I do not feel sorry for them.

I actually thought volunteer work DOES require a work permit. Wrong? Am I getting work permit stuff confused with visa stuff?

But that aside, it's a wonderful outcome. 'Don't know how many of the down & out (e.g., those with drug, alcohol or mental issues) could repeat the process, but a real success story for you.

[SOTIRIOS]

..........like they said....robbed or duped by their wives....

....easy to remedy.......get back what was taken from them.......or at least half...and give them back their dignity....

[WitawatWatawit]

So then all western countries should send all thai nationals back to Thailand, currently living in europe and who would be homeless if the social systems have not protecting them getting that! What one expect of a country who do not care about their poor or homeless? Deciding yourself lifing in Thailand must taken carefully because otherwise sometimes you go back only in a coffin before being robbed of all your assets!

thai nationals or thai immigrants? if they are legal immigrants, then they should be entitled to whatever social welfare systems that's already in place.

thailand (and almost all of asia) doesn't have a welfare system.

correct me if i am wrong but i was under the impression that the wats feed thai people who cant feed themselves. and if fact i have actually seen monks handing cash to beggars.

have also seen long term homeless presumably thai people who although they live on the street they are not hungry or desperate and i've seen these same people in the same town for months if not years.

Ditto. There are a number of Thai and farang homeless wandering around - some I have seen for many years. Problem is there are few facilities to look after those who suffer from mental illness, but generally aren't a danger to society. On the outskirts of Bkk, there were 3 Thai guys whom I saw over a period of about 6-7 years, and the locals would give them food. Nice one. Here in Jomtien, there are a couple of homeless farang, tho I've only seen one - he often sits in the police box on the corner of Khao Talo. I was told he has been given a room by the locals and food. He certainly looks well fed. (Seems polite, gives me a smile and a nod when I pass.) Thais tell me he's a few cents short of a dollar - but then again he might also be just a bludger. Who knows? So what to do with these people? Thais seem to step in and fill the void, but should we bother? Though it's tempting to say to hell with them, I'm sure there must be a solution. Should we support an NGO that will lobby and pressure the govt of a homeless person until they crack and offer help? Can't see any other way as the Thai authorities will never do anything.

[belg]

maybe it is time that immigration asked for 400 - 800.000 baht deposit on "their" account, so you can swiftly be deported 1st class one way, when you run out of money ?

good idea for those homeless-ess to go sit in shopping malls, free airco

[Sydebolle]

I'll talk to the politicians back home to apply the same governmental care to all those lost Thai souls in Europe. They've ended up in the houses of ill repute with compliments of their fellow countrymen acting as pimps and if they do not behave then ..... we shelter them and fix them with a oneway ticket back to beautiful Thailand.
While I certainly agree that those people need to be helped it remains a fact that they ended up there in misery as these less than a hundred foreign western males. Latter mostly being creamed by their Thai spouses as the Thai law does not essentially understand, that every person is the same in front of the law. Gotcha?

[razorramone]

Considering I pay over £200 (10k baht) a month to Thailand in taxes, I would expect some kind of help if misfortune fell upon me and I was out on the streets.

The tax I pay here is nearly the same as what I'd pay in the UK, a much more expensive country. Yet I'm not sure what that entitles me to, looking at articles like this one.

Edited August 19, 2013 by razorramone

[slipperylobster]

Especially in the case of these unfortunate souls who have spent their last savings on scooping up those cute, young bar girls, only to find that they are less loved and admired than that first, special night, I believe positive corrective action must be implemented. Perhaps, in addition to forced health insurance, it would be wise for the Thai government to insist on anti-stupidity insurance. Additionally, a 3 day course on how to outwit those pretty young things before you invest in prenuptial Sin Sod agreements, home purchases and automobile down payments. Bar fine and Short time Records should be posted and updated on the internet hourly. If these steps are implemented, Thailand will not only generate income on the anti-stupidity insurance, but will also save money on their efforts to get these unfortunate souls of the street.

[hellodolly]

i help 2 in the late eighties only to the tune of £200 each then they shit on a few others after,one of them came to thailand after recieving £100,000 redundancy payment blew the lot then continued to beg.sorry i have no sympathy for them.

No sympathy for any of them because of two dodgy ones? That's harsh.

I'll go against the fold and say it is Thailand's responsibility to help. They are happy enough to let people in without a visa or showing any funds in the hope to make lots of revenue, which they have done for several decades. And these people have likely dropped a lot more into the system than their Thai brethren on the street have ever done.

Druggies and bad apples can go spit, but a lot of these chaps have just lost their way and/or had the shaft. But I agree they need to go home (airheads/dealers on the street first) where they'll likely receive help, though don't agree with this 'burden the Thai people' tripe. The day that happens... well, it never will.

Not sure if I am understanding you here. I have only been here 7 years but I have never met a foreigner yet who got in here with out a visa, I have met plenty of over stayers. Are you saying that they deliberately break the law and Thailand should take responsibility for them.

As for the ones who have been ripped off by Thai women They obviously had money and a system of money coming in to get the visa's. Why not make them use that money. If they do not how did they get a visa. If through fraudulent measures why should Thailand take care of them. I am an ex pat retiree and I need a certain amount of income to maintain my retirement visa. If I don't have it off I go back home. Why should these homeless people be granted help to stay here. You don;t really need that much money to stay here. Look at a lot of the English teachers they are making in between 20,000 and 30,000 baht a month. 15,000 baht a month is a good wage for a Thai. How can a foreigner not afford to live here. that is presuming he or she has a source of income. Most of the people who get ripped off still have a source of income.

For the most part the ones on the street are drug addicts of one sort or another. They should be sent back to their home country where there is a bettter chance of getting help for them.

The exception are the ones who have the money but have lost the mental capacity. These people I definatly feel Thailand should help. They are not intentionally trying to rip Thailand off.

One of the biggest problems here in Thailand is not the country it is the Embassies off other countries who will not help there own citizens out.