Homeless foreigners in Thailand 'lack assistance'

[NeverSure]

Sorry, I'm not buying the bleeding heart part. I am not responsible and don't want to pay for other people's decisions.Sure, I'll buy a guy a meal, but I won't give him cash.

Who goes to Thailand without leaving enough money in his home country he can access for a plane ticket? Why am I responsible if he gives all he has to a Thai wife and has no pension? Why am I responsible if he has a drinking, drug, or gambling habit? What it it's a combination of all of those plus a penchant for the bars with bar girls?

As was said by someone, failure to plan is planning to fail.

The only homeless people I know of are there by choice. It was a series of choices which they continue to make.

Who winds up in Thailand with no money and no friends, not even back in the home country? I can't count on both hands the number of US friends I have who would quickly buy me a plane ticket to get home and let me sleep on a couch for a while if I hit bottom. Has this homeless person already used everyone so much there's no one left?

An American TV network filmed a beggar on a street corner. He had a cardboard sign which said homeless. They followed him when he left and he walked a couple of blocks to his car and drove to his home. They confronted him and he admitted he made good money doing that and he preferred it to a full time job.

I would be willing to contribute some money to fly a destitute person home if maybe 5 other guys would split the cost. But I'd only do it if we took him to the airport with the eticket and made sure he got on that plane.

I'm not heartless, but I don't want to be a sucker either.

[hellodolly]

Thailand gets plenty of cash from tourism. This is the nether side. There should be a mechanism, to deal with them in a humane manner. I remember that mentally ill fellow who languished in prison and was in sad shape when he was found.

Those are not tourists living on the streets.

I can just see it now Joe says to Charlie. Joe you have a month vacation coming up where are you going and what are you going to do?

Charlie says to Joe I am going to go to Thailand and live on the streets.

[hellodolly]

Hi guys,

I'm an Australian freelance journalist living in Pattaya, and this story really interested me as well. Foreign retirees being ripped off by Thai spouses seems to be a pretty common story in this region, as are reports of suicides in the area, and I think the issue deserves further exploration.

I'm planning to write a longer feature story about it for a publication back home, and was wondering if any of you know someone this has happened to who would like to speak to me about it, to share their experience? I will approach this topic with the sensitivity it deserves, of course, and do not judge.

If you or a friend would like to get in touch, please email me at: ****Email removed per forum rule****.

Alternatively, if you have any information you think would be relevant, please send that through as well.

Kind regards,

Hannah

You might want to make it more enlightening by including what the various Embassies and Consulates do for them.

Some bend over backwards and others do nothing. Most will tell you they do various things but the reality is they don't.

[MAJIC]

Thais don't get assistance,when they are down and out,and little or no help from their own Government,so it would be a very Naive Farang who would expect assistance from Thailand. Even Farangs own Countries can't expect free help from their Countries,Families will be pressured into paying for Re Patriation,or Pay back deals struck with their Embassies.

The Moral is: Never burn your Bridges back home,or send all your money to Thailand,to build houses for dubious, heartless partners,dodgy businesses,ramshackle Bars not worth a carrot. But most important,have your RESCUE PLAN, and a secret Emergency Bank account,with the price of an Air Fare home,and enough money to last you 3 months back home,when you land,to get yourself re'established,and don't say "I would rather die than go back home" many have already done that,the alternative is to die in "Paradise" as a lapsed member,on the streets who couldn't afford the membership any longer" Surely false pride is not worth that ?

[moradave]

Chiangmai has 30 homeless!!! such a low number, if they were assisted would the numbers swell?

I don't understand why the migrants come here if it doesn't improve their lot. Wouldn't the socialist states of Laos and Vietnam be better?

But they didn't choose a socialist state. They chose Thailand, and Thailand accepted them as legal residents. Thailand should do what all western countries do and offer them assistance in housing, food, medical care rehabilitation etc. A social worker who speaks their language should be assigned to help them. Thailand should also assist them in repatriation if that is what they want and their home country will accept them.

Blanket deportation is not a proper solution.

[NeverSure]

Chiangmai has 30 homeless!!! such a low number, if they were assisted would the numbers swell?

I don't understand why the migrants come here if it doesn't improve their lot. Wouldn't the socialist states of Laos and Vietnam be better?

But they didn't choose a socialist state. They chose Thailand, and Thailand accepted them as legal residents. Thailand should do what all western countries do and offer them assistance in housing, food, medical care rehabilitation etc. A social worker who speaks their language should be assigned to help them. Thailand should also assist them in repatriation if that is what they want and their home country will accept them.

Blanket deportation is not a proper solution.

Thailand didn't accept them as legal residents but rather gave them a visa and 90 day reporting requirements as guests. Thailand also imposed certain financial requirements with proof. Thailand never agreed to support expats and expats made a choice which should include good planning. When the expat can no longer meet the financial requirements he should go home. He should go home long before he's destitute.

If he finds himself skint in Thailand it's his fault, one way or another. He should have enough money in his home country to get himself home and if he doesn't it's a result of choices he made.

I don't like to be forced to pay for other peoples' decisions, and neither does the Thai government. That's why they have the financial requirements.

Now, I already said that I'd buy a guy a meal, and even go in with some guys to buy him a plane ticket and make sure he got on that plane. But he needs to go home and get on assistance.

[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.

The Thai government should insist that expats intending to stay in Thailand and require an O visa must attend a similar program as the Philippines, the Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminars, prior to the O visa being issued

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1378%3Apre-departure-registration-and-orientation-seminars&catid=145%3Aintegration-and-reintegration&Itemid=833

Just what is needed: more bureaucracy to make the system function so much better. Ya'll are making a mountain out of a molehill. Virtually everyone here meets that financial requirements. Hell, we go through that same song and dance every year during immigration extensions and review. Yes! I've been married to the same Thai women for over 6 years, I support her, her son, her extended family, but crap, let's add more paperwork just to make sure.

Dumb idea imho.

relax, you overlooked the smile icon

LOL...he missed the "tongue in cheek" sarcasm. Take a chill pill. This is not an endorsement for the Thai Government to litigate. I will give you a wink so you know I am not overly serious. I just want people to wake up and look before they leap.

[osiboy]

if the thai justice system were a REAL justice system , half of these homeless would still be in business and not in need of any help , reep what you sow thailand ! , how about EU countries reposess thai property in europe and use the proceeds to fund the homeless "farang " in thailand ?

[hawker9000]

I believe the issue of thai wives ripping off their farang husbands and farangs who end up rough on the street are two separate problems that just happen to intersect at times. I doubt the majority of the exploited husbands end up on the street, and I doubt the majority of foreigners on the street are so due to having been exploited husbands. It confuses the thread and distorts the discussion. Not that BOTH topics aren't truly worthy of discussion, they are. I just think this one should focus on homelessness among foreigners. If I'm wrong about this, I'd like to see the numbers. But if I'm right, then the solution to the homelessness isn't going to have anything to do with how foreign husbands are treated in a thai divorce.

[Notstupid30]

Just looking at this all of yesterday and today and doing some maths ? Flight, 25,000THB - 30,000THB, Overstay 20,000THB , Passport depend on country 4500THB for an emergency one isn't much at the end of the day..

Sometimes it's easy to walk by because we know we can't change someone's whole life in a single afternoon. But what we fail to realize it that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.”

Edited August 19, 2013 by Notstupid30

[Notstupid30]

And these days this is how the world is run

http://youtu.be/pK2WJd5bXFg

Edited August 19, 2013 by Notstupid30

[meatboy]

Just looking at this all of yesterday and today and doing some maths ? Flight, 25,000THB - 30,000THB, Overstay 20,000THB , Passport depend on country 4500THB for an emergency one isn't much at the end of the day..

Sometimes it's easy to walk by because we know we can't change someone's whole life in a single afternoon. But what we fail to realize it that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.”

i am sorry if i sound harsh with this but in all of 30yrs i see these people are behond helping,my first post where i said i had helped 2 who had more or less thrown their money down the drain.did they learn their lesson NO they continued to borrow the thai way,make promises they knew they wouldnt keep,run up bills they couldnt or wouldnt pay and they didnt care who they done it to.most of them if not all left their homes where ever they came from,scraped up enough money and abandoned their families,and for what a young bit of skirt and a all senses went out the window,their brains and money in one pocket which had a small hole in it eventually leading to a big arse-hole.this is fact,i am one of or used to be a soft touch when it came to helping out anybody bar girls as well but after a while you kind of wisen up and get the picture when you see them abusing your generosity so sorry but these drop outs because thats what they are will get no help off me.

[Foggy Bottom]

I think being a westerner Thailand would be the last place you would want to end up homeless and destitute. I wouldn't like to be homeless in Australia either but at least there are services available to offer some help.

A fair percentage of homeless people suffer from some form of mental heath and I would also guess that a few of the farang homeless in Thailand are suffering from shame and depression after being duped by a Thai women and don't want to return home to face family and friends who think they are living the good life in Thailand.

This may sound a little harsh but I think if you see a homeless farang in Thailand you should report them so they can be deported where they have access to social security and other services.

Speaking from experience, Brits who have been out of the UK for more than the current and preceding two fiscal years face a wait of between 6 and 24 months before they can receive state benefits.

Deporting them officially from Thailand - i.e. via a court order and escorted to the airport in handcuffs is one exemption route to the waiting for benefits - luckily I did not go through that.

[Notstupid30]

Just looking at this all of yesterday and today and doing some maths ? Flight, 25,000THB - 30,000THB, Overstay 20,000THB , Passport depend on country 4500THB for an emergency one isn't much at the end of the day..

Sometimes it's easy to walk by because we know we can't change someone's whole life in a single afternoon. But what we fail to realize it that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.”

i am sorry if i sound harsh with this but in all of 30yrs i see these people are behond helping,my first post where i said i had helped 2 who had more or less thrown their money down the drain.did they learn their lesson NO they continued to borrow the thai way,make promises they knew they wouldnt keep,run up bills they couldnt or wouldnt pay and they didnt care who they done it to.most of them if not all left their homes where ever they came from,scraped up enough money and abandoned their families,and for what a young bit of skirt and a all senses went out the window,their brains and money in one pocket which had a small hole in it eventually leading to a big arse-hole.this is fact,i am one of or used to be a soft touch when it came to helping out anybody bar girls as well but after a while you kind of wisen up and get the picture when you see them abusing your generosity so sorry but these drop outs because thats what they are will get no help off me.

I think if someone wants to help someone? Is set some rules like I can buy you food or clothes but never give them money or it will end up in the nearest 7/11 or bar and try to explain that you can help them, But they must understand everyone’s situation honest is the best outcome these day’s, I was even thinking what's a 100THB these days to members so that we can do some sort of funding like i read only a few months ago when the people of Germany were helping there own expats out with stuff like hospital bills when expats fail sick..

Edited August 19, 2013 by Notstupid30

[Thai at Heart]

Well a good friend of mine was reduced to living on donations while going through his divorce which took the best part of 3 years to complete.

He bit off more than he could chew, but these arcane laws about house ownership and the such are a big problem. Anyone planning to retire here should not buy and put the house in the wife's name.

Get a good lawyer and lease or rent.

[Notstupid30]

Well a good friend of mine was reduced to living on donations while going through his divorce which took the best part of 3 years to complete.

He bit off more than he could chew, but these arcane laws about house ownership and the such are a big problem. Anyone planning to retire here should not buy and put the house in the wife's name.

Get a good lawyer and lease or rent.

When i first moved to Thailand like 10 years ago an old chap told me never buy a house and if you do fail in love give it 5 or 10 years to see if the person is loyal and i must say this advice was nicely put for us and other ..

[malakmd]

Just wondering why not get a list of these homeless foriegner with name and nationality, and we all instead of debating share some bucks to get their ticket to return home. If overstay let them be in IDC till they can clear the fine either pay cash or live till you complete your period and back to home, what i feel the biggest problem for consulate or embassy is to arrange ticket for them, but usually they help in getting lost passport or travelling documents.

Frankly IDC already taking a lot of burden, by facilitating these overstayed foriegners, homeless or not homeless.

no offense but first time i can understand they had misfortune, but 2nd time i could not.. so you are homeless with your own choice..

[captspectre]

what are they doing here in the first place? the Thai's don't even take care of their own, witness the homeless on sukhumvit road. deport the homeless foreigners! they should have a round trip ticket in the first place in order to visit as a tourist. as for being taken advantage of, nothing new here, happens all the time!

[malakmd]

Hi guys,

I'm an Australian freelance journalist living in Pattaya, and this story really interested me as well. Foreign retirees being ripped off by Thai spouses seems to be a pretty common story in this region, as are reports of suicides in the area, and I think the issue deserves further exploration.

I'm planning to write a longer feature story about it for a publication back home, and was wondering if any of you know someone this has happened to who would like to speak to me about it, to share their experience? I will approach this topic with the sensitivity it deserves, of course, and do not judge.

If you or a friend would like to get in touch, please email me at: ****Email removed per forum rule****.

Alternatively, if you have any information you think would be relevant, please send that through as well.

Kind regards,

Hannah

Dear Hannah,

Indeed it need attention, but you have to be fair enough, look both side of the picture. What i noticed in Thailand, most foriegners are just screaming, most of us has choices to be made before get marry with local girl. why no one talking about the happyly living foriegners with their thai spouse, they are more than these scum bags? who ask them to go bar and find the heaven.. I think the story is same in every part of the world, you go to Bar you will be ripped off...it is all over the world..

[oops]

This is bizarre, Thailand has trouble helping their own people and they expect to help out these foreigners on the street. Myself I am not sure how to view it. It some ways I find it really irritating to see them on the street and on the other hand, I guess I should be more sympathetic which is difficult because sometimes I see most of them look to be healthy.

Many years back I saw a man near Sukhumvit soi 13 everyday standing out on the street in a ( total black suit with tie and a black suitcase) and a sign saying he lost all his money. I know that most embassy will give you a ticket home if you fall on hard times, " how they handle the repayment is another story" , so I know they don't need to stay here and if they do it is by choice.

The bottom line is why should Thailand create a special government agency to take care of foreigners when each one has an embassy.

[Thai at Heart]

Could be worthwhile to set up an air miles bank????

[DocN]

Yeah, yeah...Thailand doesn't even help it's own, so why help farang!

Oh look...therein lies the problem!

What about helping both?

Oh no...nanny state....handout- society...socialism....bad! Very bad!

[affen02]

To my knowledge, i bet u that no embassies will give you a ticket home unless you have family or friends in your home country giving the foreign department of mentined country a written promise that they will cover for the ticket, most countries i know of demand this. I myself come from one of the richest country in the bloody world, and they dont just dont hand out free tickets, so i cant see either US or f.eks UK handing out tickets to the down and outs. I have been living here for quite a few years now, and the stories i heard, not only heard, seen with my own eyes., I met many a 60 yr and up with their head on their knees, totally desperate, came down here with 40 50 mill bath and expected it to last out their life, and it could easily with a bit of bloody pure logic. Built nice houses 3 mill, swimming pool and all, open little shop for the wife, maybe a tatto shop for himself. Wife starts to gamble, pouring down Lao Kao, starting to borrow mone first on the car and house, then from the chinaman and before u know it you have a black helmet on the door demanding 50000 or else. Stupid one can say but is there not a saying, Love makes blind, so dont be so damned hard on this unfortunate buggers. A lot of people i have met and know from UK dont have pensions or if they have its bearly to live on. US the same, they dont hand out anything for free over there. Of course i dont in my wildest demand the Thais to sort this out, but maybe we could show some com passion and understanding in other ways, what do i know. Make a fund or something under the Ex pat system. I met several 60 plus taken for everything they had by greedy, well u know, wifes, having to go back to f.eks UK and start over. Who would give them housing when you have thousands of refuges from all over first in line bec ause the UN demands it. Who would give them jobs, friends are gone or died, no mommies anymore, sold everything they had before they left to live out their dream in the land of dreams, oh sweet buddah. Call them stupid maybe, a better and humane one would be,, unlucky and made some bad desicions. So dont sit on the high horse, stock marked in US could hit 10000, your individual sheres could go to hell, yes many things can happen from here to tomorrow.

[Tchooptip]

"Almost" 100% of those homeless/down-and-out are alcoholic, were they before? I guess for many of them

In France every one without resources, homeless or not, have a monthly income named RSA (resource of active solidarity) of 483,24€, a real burden on every of us taxpayers included the modest ones, so OK for the old age with minimum income... but most of the homeless beneficiaries drink it all in a matter of days

I supposed this RSA income was voted with the best of intentions and certainly not for helping the booze !

Millons of people are fighting for a decent life so personaly, sorry but I have a real problem excusing the drunkards...

[britinthai]

The Thai police should dump them in their respected embassies and if found again fine the embassies make them accountable for their own nationals

[AnotherOneAmerican]

However it came to be deportation is the right answer

Rather unkind, may I suggest it is called repatriation.

[ozyjon]

It's sad to see, but i think what are the Wats for and the monks aren't they there to help the poor,, i'm missing something

also,,, "often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners..."

and on and on and on it goes, and it will go on for ever i suppose all over South East Asia,, that's why i set a limit to what

my Thai family would squeeze out of me then i got booted out when i told them " i have no money" a year later they are trying

to get me back (no chance no way Ho-se) and on and on it goes, good luck all,, it's sad to see homeless people but sending

them back to their original country could be the best outcome for them,, at least they will have the same language and support.

[ThePinkPanther]

Hi there Hannahc, to speak to you with regards to this situation would be a shear privilege for me seeing that I've been robbed bankrupt by my "come ex-wife" so to speak and thus I'm stuck here in Thailand, however I manage to work here thus I'm NOT homeless or completely destitute. However, to be able to exchange experiences here could apparently prove to be impossible as this forum do NOT allow the exchange of personal information and / or contact details to be distributed by means of this forum. And I in all sincerity cannot say that I blame them for there are many dangerous people out there in this world. So, if you could find any means by which we could exchange contact details, I have a few very interesting stories to share with you. (Personal experiences I mean now).

Hi guys,

I'm an Australian freelance journalist living in Pattaya, and this story really interested me as well. Foreign retirees being ripped off by Thai spouses seems to be a pretty common story in this region, as are reports of suicides in the area, and I think the issue deserves further exploration.

I'm planning to write a longer feature story about it for a publication back home, and was wondering if any of you know someone this has happened to who would like to speak to me about it, to share their experience? I will approach this topic with the sensitivity it deserves, of course, and do not judge.

If you or a friend would like to get in touch, please email me at: ****Email removed per forum rule****.

Alternatively, if you have any information you think would be relevant, please send that through as well.

Kind regards,

Hannah

[ThePinkPanther]

It's sad to see, but i think what are the Wats for and the monks aren't they there to help the poor,, i'm missing something

also,,, "often having being duped or robbed by Thai former wives or partners..."

and on and on and on it goes, and it will go on for ever i suppose all over South East Asia,, that's why i set a limit to what

my Thai family would squeeze out of me then i got booted out when i told them " i have no money" a year later they are trying

to get me back (no chance no way Ho-se) and on and on it goes, good luck all,, it's sad to see homeless people but sending

them back to their original country could be the best outcome for them,, at least they will have the same language and support.

Probably you're right in one sense of the way BUT what you say isn't necessarily true here you know. It would all depend on WHERE these people originally come from. There just so happens to be quite a few countries out there that aren't so very pleasant to reside in.

[zydeco]

To my knowledge, i bet u that no embassies will give you a ticket home unless you have family or friends in your home country giving the foreign department of mentined country a written promise that they will cover for the ticket, most countries i know of demand this. I myself come from one of the richest country in the bloody world, and they dont just dont hand out free tickets, so i cant see either US or f.eks UK handing out tickets to the down and outs. I have been living here for quite a few years now, and the stories i heard, not only heard, seen with my own eyes., I met many a 60 yr and up with their head on their knees, totally desperate, came down here with 40 50 mill bath and expected it to last out their life, and it could easily with a bit of bloody pure logic. Built nice houses 3 mill, swimming pool and all, open little shop for the wife, maybe a tatto shop for himself. Wife starts to gamble, pouring down Lao Kao, starting to borrow mone first on the car and house, then from the chinaman and before u know it you have a black helmet on the door demanding 50000 or else. Stupid one can say but is there not a saying, Love makes blind, so dont be so damned hard on this unfortunate buggers. A lot of people i have met and know from UK dont have pensions or if they have its bearly to live on. US the same, they dont hand out anything for free over there. Of course i dont in my wildest demand the Thais to sort this out, but maybe we could show some com passion and understanding in other ways, what do i know. Make a fund or something under the Ex pat system. I met several 60 plus taken for everything they had by greedy, well u know, wifes, having to go back to f.eks UK and start over. Who would give them housing when you have thousands of refuges from all over first in line bec ause the UN demands it. Who would give them jobs, friends are gone or died, no mommies anymore, sold everything they had before they left to live out their dream in the land of dreams, oh sweet buddah. Call them stupid maybe, a better and humane one would be,, unlucky and made some bad desicions. So dont sit on the high horse, stock marked in US could hit 10000, your individual sheres could go to hell, yes many things can happen from here to tomorrow.

Here you go: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/123611.pdf