Beggars in Thailand earn nearly $3,000/month, 30% are foreigners

Thailand is also urging tourists and locals not to give money to people who officials say earn about 100,000 baht ($2,726) a month on Bangkok streets or tourist spots.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on June 11 that campaigns by various relevant agencies such as the police and Bangkok authorities will be conducted regularly to arrest beggars.

A boy sleeps outside a convenience store near Siam Square in central Bangkok, where he begs most evenings.

Foreigners caught in the raids will be deported back to their home countries, while locals will go to state-run camps where they receive vocational training to find jobs.

However, the minister admitted that these measures may not deter repeat offenders who pocket more than the fines they have to pay.

Under Thai law, begging can be punished with up to a month in prison and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, but this figure is "insignificant" compared to monthly income.

He also stressed that these people often use new and emotional tricks to beg for money, such as begging with young children or pets, and said, "beggars caught with unrelated children will face criminal charges."

“In the past 10 years, we have caught about 7,000 beggars, of which about 30 per cent are foreigners,” Varawut told SCMP .

He added that many people earn up to 100,000 baht a month during the peak holiday season because of suspected organised crime gangs that recruit beggars in prime locations such as outside high-end shopping malls in Bangkok.

Dog is led by owner to beg for money near Bangkok central train station

Police on June 11 arrested a blind Cambodian woman and her daughter for begging at a market in Samut Prakan province, central Thailand. Police also charged the pair, who earned at least 3,000 baht (about 2 million VND) a day, with illegally entering Thailand.

In related news, Thai police have arrested a British man after he was allegedly asked for money to buy drugs outside a convenience store in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in Surat Thani province.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-xin-o-thai-lan-kiem-gan-3000-usd-thang-30-la-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-18524061308275351.htm