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Begging is a problem in most of the world’s
major cities, especially in countries where there is little or no
financial help for the poor. In this week’s lesson, we take
a look at two stories that should offer some hope to those who feel
the need to beg. The first story in particular is interesting because
it suggests that many beggars on Thailand’s streets are working
for criminal gangs who are taking advantage of the public’s
general good nature.
Discussion points
Read both the stories, using the
vocabulary to help you if necessary. Then discuss the following
with your teacher and classmates:
1. Why,
from what you know, do people beg?
2. Do you believe that many beggars are exploited (taken advantage
of by others)? Why?
3. Do you think that the action taken by the
government in both stories will help to solve the problem? If so,
how? If not, why not?
4. Would you do anything different to solve
the problems of begging if you were in the government?
5. Does the government, in your opinion, have
a responsibility to help disabled people?
Crackdown on beggars soon
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| A mongrel named Daeng sits next to his
master who takes him to beg on the walkway of Bangkok's
elevated train every day. — AP |
The Social Development
and Human Security Ministry says gangs of beggars are just
asking for it.
The
ministry plans a major crackdown focusing on 13 problem
areas in Bangkok and will also propose a new law against begging.
Permanent
Secretary Wallop Ploythubtim said representatives of the ministry,
the police, city hall and the Interior and Labour Mnistries
agreed at a meeting yesterday a clampdown on begging
gangs would start at the end of May in Bangkok and then extend
into the provinces at a later date.
It
will focus on gang leaders, those who recruit the disabled,
elderly and children, and those who use animals to beg.
Mr
Wallop said Thai beggars would be reunited with relatives,
given jobs in their hometowns and monitored by follow-up officials,
while aliens would be deported and barred from returning
to Thailand.
People
will be asked not to give money to beggars or buy goods from
children at intersections in a bid to eradicate
such gangs since all the money went to the gang leaders and
not to the beggars.
“These
people know Thais are kind, so they use the elderly, the handicapped
and children to beg for money and sell goods. So I want
to ask people to not buy things or give beggars money since
you will only be supporting the gangs. If you refuse them
money, these begging gangs will go out of business,” Mr Wallop
said.
Surveys
by a special ministerial team over the past month found 13
sites in Bangkok each had at least 180 beggars, but police
also said weekend and flea markets were additional trouble
areas.
The
target areas are Victory Monument, outside Central World Plaza,
Talat Noi in Yaowarat, Udomsuk market, near Nana and Prom
Phong skytrain stations, Wongwian Yai, near Central Plaza
Lat Phrao, Saladaeng skytrain station and Patpong, a pedestrian
bridge in front of Pantip Plaza, an area in front of Chatuchak
weekend market, Bang Khae market and a pedestrian bridge
in front of The Mall Bang Khae, Saphan Mai Don Muang market,
and an area near Makro Bang Bon.
crackdown;
clampdown
severe
action taken to restrict the activities of criminals
or of people opposed to the government or authorities
recruit
to
find new people to join a company, an organisation,
etc.
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reunite
to
bring two or more people together again after they have
been separated for a long time
alien
a
person who is not a citizen of the country in which
they live or work
bid
attempt
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eradicate
to
destroy or get rid of something completely, especially
something bad
handicap
to
make something more difficult for somebody to do
pedestrian
for
use by people walking in the street
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Government bid to assist
one million disabled people
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The government is trying
to reach and help more than a million helpless disabled
people nationwide, according to the social development
and human security minister.
Speaking
on International Day of Disabled Persons in Bangkok yesterday,
Sora-at Klinprathum said more than one million people of the
four million disabled Thais could not help themselves.
About
400,000 had registered for state help and the government
would try to reach the rest through its poverty-reduction
caravans, the minister said.
“The
prime minister wants to help the disabled immediately with
prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and handcycles. Disabled people
with skills will get jobs so that they can earn an income,”
he said.
About
6,000 operators were working with the state in helping disabled
people. About 2,000 had recruited disabled people and the
rest contributed to the government's fund for the disabled.
The
state had organised International Day of Disabled Persons
for 10 consecutive years and the government allocated 350
million baht to help disabled people this year. Under the
policy, registered disabled people get a monthly allowance
of 500 baht each.
Yesterday
he presented 250 wheelchairs and handcycles to disabled people
in Bangkok. More than 10,000 more disabled people would get
such vehicles next year, the minister said.
Mr
Sora-at also chaired a ceremony to send 41 beggars
back to their families.
In
the ceremony at the Social Development and Welfare Department,
he gave the beggars a bag of necessities and 2,000
baht in cash. He said staff in the provinces would offer homeless
people physical and mental rehabilitation programmes, career
training, job placement, basic necessities and even land to
help them become more independent.
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disabled
unable
to use a part of your body completely or easily because
of a physical condition, illness, injury, etc.
register
to
record somebody’s name on an official list
contribute
to
give something, especially money or goods, to help somebody
allowance
an
amount of money that is given to somebody regularly
or for a particular purpose
chair (verb)
to act as the chairperson of a meeting, discussion,
etc
necessities
things
that you must have and cannot manage without
independent
confident
and free to do things without needing help from other
people
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