Like most big cities in the world, Bangkok has its share of people begging on the streets. It seems to be focused in the Silom/Sukumvit business district, and although it is not as big a problem as other cities (San Francisco, I'm looking at you), it seems to me like I have been seeing more and more begging this year than before.
I have heard rumors that many of the beggars are actually Cambodian or Burmese. Other rumors say that the people are placed on the street by individuals who use them to make money for themselves. I don't have any proof to back up these rumors, but they seem entirely possible to me.
In any case, there was an interesting article in the Bangkok Post today that said that a new law is being drafted that will require beggars to register with the government, so that the government can make sure that they are "qualified" to beg, with qualifications including being disabled, or elderly with no children to take care of them. (There are a few heartbreaking old grandmas, and a few guys who have terribly distorted bodies from who knows what malady who beg for money near my office. Very sad.)
The article, called "Qualified people only may apply", was written by Anucha Charoenpo and is reprinted here:
Being a beggar will not be so easy anymore if draft legislation approved by the cabinet yesterday becomes law. The bill proposed by the Human Security and Social Development Ministry sets conditions for people who want to be beggars.They must provide proof they are underprivileged, disabled, homeless or elderly without children to care for them. And this will be a reserved occupation, exclusively for Thais who must carry ID cards.
Would-be professional beggars will have to report to local administration organisations for approval and work permits.
Local agencies will be responsible for controlling beggars in their jurisdictions, while the Social Development and Welfare Department will have special centres to help them and programmes to care for them.
Those who force other people to beg, or exploit them, will be liable to criminal punishment, deputy government spokeswoman Suparat Nakboonnam said.
Passing the legislation into law would help the authorities get rid of the large number of foreign beggars in the country, she said. The bill will soon be handed to the government whips and then go to parliament for approval.
If passed, it will replace the 1941 Begging Control Act, which is outdated and begging for a makeover, Ms Suparat said.
So if this bill passes, does that mean there's going to be a round-up of beggars who do not meet the requirements of the job? Or will this just be another ignored, unenforced Thai law?
A fascinating idea. Why don't they just help the people who qualify instead of licensing them?
It is my understanding that the link between begging and organized crime has been firmly established by several investigative reports by newspapers. Including the fact that often, "parents" of the children you see begging aren't actually their parents at all, but "rent" the children from the actual parents.
Would be nice to see the issue addressed, but ideally it will help those who are truly most in need.
Wishful thinking, perhaps.
If i were given a short while, i could come up with the links. I've written about this before.
Both Thai language newspapers the Thai Rath and Khom Chat Leuk, have over the past few years, done quite a few investigative studies of 'fake' beggars in Bangkok. I have also seen under-cover video coverage on the Thai news. That is, of Thai 'beggar mafia gangs' working the streets of Bankok, in particular. Or, just as Chris mentioned above, much of it is a set-up ie... mother and daughter. The more pitiful looking the better. The going rate is 100-200 for the beggar but the 'boss' in-charge takes first all that is given in the 'bowl', which is often in excess of 1,000 baht day.
Should you wish to record how the beggars are positioned in the morning and jump into pick-ups in the early evenings, then base yourself at a few of the capitals well-known overhead-walkways with camera-in-hand. (This has been done by Thai journos as mentioned above).
"The 'bosses' are ruthless with high connections; and anyone who dares beg on 'their patch' gets booted out"
In key places in Bangkok, only the worst of the imported illegal beggars are positioned, those are the ones with the likes of no legs and no arms.
The 'art' of professional 'mafia-style' begging is engrained within Bangkok. And Cambodians, not Burmese, are the most preferred 'beggars'.
Any govt proposal to combat this lucrative is laughable - there are too many people in high places colouring thier palms.
If you fancy covering first-hand this scenario Stuart, give me a shout - i'd be real interested! Would be a good one....