Local officials rounding up beggars in the centre of Chai Nat province were surprised to come across a handicapped Chinese beggar who had 21,540 baht in his shoulder bag yesterday.
As part of a campaign against begging, social development and human security staff and local police went to a market on Khong Tham Road in Muang Chai Nat municipality were they found 39-year-old Chinese beggar Xu Baosong, who has deformed hands.
Mr Xu is from Henan province, China, and does not speak Thai or English. In a subsequent search of Mr Xu, they found coins totalling 480 baht in his possession and Thai bank notes in his shoulder bag, totalling 21,540 baht.
"This beggar was carrying more money than my whole monthly salary," said one official.
After questioning and charging him, officials took Mr Xu to immigration police for repatriation to China.