Thailand in pictures (9): Beggars
A picture paints a thousand words. This certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many cheerful people, but also a dark side of coups, environmental pollution, poverty, exploitation, animal suffering, violence and many road deaths. Today a photo series about beggars.
Bangkok Begging Experiment Reveals Staggering Earnings
A young Thai man created a sensation on TikTok with his experiment to discover the earnings of a beggar in Bangkok's Chinatown. By disguising himself and sitting on the sidewalk begging, he collected more than the daily minimum wage in just an hour, leading to a staggering two million views and countless comments on social media.
Street vendors, beggars, paupers (reader's submission)
Confronting street trading can be a sudden moment of cultural confusion for tourists in Thailand. From sentimental sales gimmicks to the subtle social dynamics of Thai society, foreigners face a quick choice: reject, negotiate or give in. But what really lies behind these seemingly simple transactions, and how do travelers actually experience these interactions?
The Beggars (short story)
Anchan (Anchalee Vivatanachai), the author of the short story The Beggars below, was born in 1952 in Thonburi. She wrote from a young age, especially short stories and poetry. She is especially praised for her special themes and innovative use of words.
A beggar's wish; poem by Prasatporn Poosusilpadhorn
The writer/poet Prasatporn Poosusilpadhorn (ประสาทพร ภูสุศิลป์ธร, 1950) is better known by his moniker de plume Komtuan/Khomtuan Khantanu (คมทวน ค ันธนู). He has more but prefers to keep them to himself. In 1983 he received the South East Asia (SEA) Write Award for his work.
The story of Chuchok, a professional beggar
There was a destitute Brahmin who had no family. His name was Chuchok, and he was born in the Phohowhikachat family. He lived in Thunawit district, attached to Kalingkharat city. He started begging for donations and was able to collect 100 “kasap” and get by. Then he took them to a friend who was also a Brahmin, and went begging all over the country for a very long time, so that he could not return home.
The street children of Bangkok
In every major city, anywhere in the world, you encounter poverty, beggars, prostitution, hovels and crime. So also in a metropolis like Bangkok. In fact, nothing new under the sun. The average tourist will hardly experience it or perhaps process it somewhat with a shake of his head. After all, we are on vacation, so no worries.
Begging children in Thailand come from Cambodia
At least ninety percent of the begging children in Thailand come from Cambodia. They are recruited by organized gangs, who 'rent' the children from poor parents, the police say.
At the beginning of this month, 120 homeless people and beggars were arrested in Bangkok in a week, including 29 foreigners. Those arrested have been housed in the Ban Maitree halfway home in Bangkok and a homeless shelter in Nonthaburi.
A long-lost daughter
This Gringo story is about the kidnapping of children who are then mutilated and used as beggars by organized gangs.
Begging is banned in Thailand
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has passed a new law banning beggars from the streets. Exceptions will only apply to collections and street artists, but they must then be in possession of a permit.
48 beggars arrested in Bangkok
The Thai government finally seems to be tackling the beggar problem. This week, forty-eight beggars, including 30 Thai and 18 foreigners, were arrested in Bangkok.
Question of the week: Are freelancers beggars?
Fons had a heated discussion with his comrade and traveling companion: Is there any difference between beggars on the street and freelancers in a bar? In both cases are they driven by poverty or do the readers think otherwise?
News from Thailand – October 15, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Eight Laotian teenagers rescued from the sex business
• Bangkok: 27 beggars picked off the street
• Messing around with vouchers for digital decoders
Begging children in Thailand. Your gut says: I'll give you some money. But your mind should say otherwise. By giving money you maintain the situation and that is wrong. Or do you think otherwise? Join us for a discussion about the statement of the week.
Beggar gang in Sattahip
When I was on holiday in Italy a long time ago, we came to a square in the center of Florence with three large churches. Lots of tourists of course, a bustle of interest. At the entrance of each of these cathedrals sat some old women, dressed all in black, holding out their hands for a few lira. They indeed looked needy and received a lot of support from the passers-by. Of course you do that in such a devout environment.
The beggar's dilemma
It is impossible to imagine the streets of Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya without beggars. Old toothless grannies, mothers with babies, men with or without limbs, blind karaoke singers, disabled people and tramps sometimes accompanied by mangy dogs.