PHUKET – A disabled beggar was arrested and found to have more than 100,000 baht on him at an annual temple fair in this resort province on Wednesday night.
Police went to Wat Chai Thararam, locally known as Wat Chalong, in Muang district on Wednesday night following complaints about the large number of beggars at the fair pestering them for money.
Police found only one beggar, a disabled man identified later as Mr Suthep, 67, in front of a cloth shop at the temple. His left leg was crippled. There was a large plastic bag near him.
The officers searched him and noticed some unusual lumps in his clothing around his waist. They discovered 13 bundles of 100-baht banknotes and one bundle of 20-baht banknotes, to the great surprise of onlookers at the fair.
More 20-baht and 50-baht banknotes and coins were found in his plastic bag, which he said came from begging at the temple fair.
All told, the old beggar had more than 100,000 baht on him and was taken to Chalong police station for questioning.
Pol Maj Gen Theerapol Thipcharoen, chief of Phuket police, said he told them he lived with his grandchildren in tambon Rawai in Muang district. He went out begging at fairs because he did not want to bother his grandchildren for money.
He insisted the money came from his begging and selling empty bottles and paper to reycling plants, not from stealing. He had collected the money over several years, and kept it for future use.
Police did not press charges against him, because he was old and nobody took care of him, Pol Maj Gen Theerapol said. But they warned him not to beg any more.
Police would take Mr Suthep to a bank and help him open an account and deposit his money. He would also be placed in the care of Ban Mit Maitree welfare house in Muang district, and his relatives informed. If no relatives came to pick him up, he would remain in the care of the welfare home.
A law on street begging came into effect in July last year and the government promised to get them off the streets.
Plainclothes police question the 67-year-old beggar detained at a temple fair in Phuket on Wednesday night. More than 100,000 baht cash was found in his possession. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)