Blind to the business of begging

COMMENTARY

Published: 8/02/2012 at 02:23 AM
Newspaper section: News

There was an interesting piece of news last week that really impressed me about the cleverness of the guy in the story. The man was earning over 100,000 baht a month from begging _ far higher than the government's proposed 15,000 baht monthly salary for a new university graduate holding a bachelor's degree. With his wife acting as the guide, the man put on a pair of dark glasses and feigned blindness. The couple popped in and out of restaurants in Chon Buri, collecting change from the compassionate and earning 3-4,000 baht a day. Their game unravelled only after the couple had an argument. The wife grumbled about the husband's "big spending" at their rented air-conditioned bungalow, and a fight ensued. Police were called in to investigate the disturbance.

Before setting up his own begging business, the man used to lead other (really) blind people in singing for money at restaurants in Bangkok. When he realised how much money could be earned this way, he went his separate way and launched his own enterprise, with the wife acting as a guide escorting him.

This is not a new phenomenon; we have often heard about fake beggars or beggars who have saved astonishing amounts of money.

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About the author

: Writer: Somporn Thapanachai; Position: Reporter

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justanote
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Discussion 11 : 08/02/2012 at 11:28 PM11
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I remember reading an article in Bangkok Post about how the writer stated that he gives money to the child beggars to save them from being punished by the probable gang leaders that control them - perhaps it was this friend the author is referring to?

Now this one states the opposite.

Giving money to the child beggars would mean you're allowing the illegal industry to survive, whereas NOT giving money would mean you're part of the reason if the child beggar gets punished at the end of the day for not reaching his/her target.

I myself am always at a moral loss when I pass by any beggar, thinking that either way, society as a whole loses. Is all we can do just simply watch as non-acting bystanders? Do we have to wait for the government to take care of this and clear our conscience?
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bobby2000
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Discussion 10 : 08/02/2012 at 02:24 PM10
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"What is the reason for this problem? Should we blame the Thai people for being generous and kind, which in turn has intensified the problem of begging in our country?" If people were truly generous and kind they would support political reform aimed at redistributing wealth in Thailand.

Regarding the beggars, I am more of less certain that the police collect money from the beggars.
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Jock
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Discussion 9 : 08/02/2012 at 12:45 PM9
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Yes, begging is a universal "occupation" and I must confess I am a regular purchaser of floral necklaces etc from the flower girls. About four years ago I had a great concern for them, particularly for when they became of an age that they were no longer quite so appealing. I got to know a group of them and offered to do IT and English classes at no cost and they were all tremendously enthusiastic, until they realized it actually entailed a bit of work, over and above batting their eyelids. I even arranged for a somewhat older flower girl, at 22 years of age, to have a job as a cleaner in a hotel. Again, she was full of enthusiasm until she realized she would be starting work early in the morning and working for 8 hours plus, with the occasional meal break. I also noticed that many of them are Cambodian and seem to be relatively happy with their lot, or maybe it is they have learned at such a tender age to have low expectations in life - if so, that is so sad.
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tony_n
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Discussion 8 : 08/02/2012 at 11:37 AM8
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how about getting Spectrum on the case? surely it can't be that hard to work out who is behind the child begging operations, where these kids come from, how they are being treated (or mistreated), and who is protecting the racketeers?
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med142
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Discussion 7 : 08/02/2012 at 11:16 AM7
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Yes this is a world wide problem, in some countries the police arrest them. some have made fortunes from it. What i have seen personally in Bangkok, beggers on the foot bridges, well they are there all day. What do they eat? I found out a i did see a person give the begger a sandwhich, but also empty the cup of money.This person tried to hide what they were doing from people. But i and a few others saw this. All said we will not give again. This person was not a thai.
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fundeena
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Discussion 6 : 08/02/2012 at 11:02 AM6
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I wait for Thaksin to take care and eliminate poverty in one year.
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ron1947
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Discussion 5 : 08/02/2012 at 10:09 AM5
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I never donate money to child beggars, but on occasion will buy flavoured milk for them if they are near a 7/11 shop. In this way I hope I am able to help the genuine but not support the begging industry.
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Eric
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Discussion 4 : 08/02/2012 at 09:32 AM4
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A good reminder as I have a soft spot for child beggars and would regularly give. Perhaps Khun Somporn can find out the begging laws in Thailand and share that in your next article. Most countries have restriction begging laws like no begging in certain areas, begging after dark, refusal to take no etc. The exploitation of child beggars really disgust me.
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ggh
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Discussion 3 : 08/02/2012 at 09:18 AM3
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Discussion 2 - in part I do agree with you about offering people in need food. I experienced this in Rangoon with groups of children beggars. For the most part they were happy to receive meals at the local street vendor. Although in a country as advanced as Thailand, surely authorities would have the means to deal with this, especially child beggars. Regardless if they are truly needy people or part of begging gangs, the relevant agencies need to make an attempt at dealing with the problem. For the kind hearted, there are numerous aid agencies within Thailand that will happily receive donations to help the underprivileged.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 2 : 08/02/2012 at 08:33 AM2
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This author's attitude is similar to many I encounter among my Thai friends, who are of the view that giving to beggars only encourages them. It's debatable for sure, and charity begins and ends at home for many in this country. But you have to be pretty heartless to ignore some of these poor people. Begging is a very undignified thing, especially in a country where face is so important, most these people are there because they are desperate. If it was so lucrative, a lot more people would be doing it. Many are refugees and migrants with children they can't feed, they might do well one day but then be cleared off the streets for a week. Of course, the control of the practice by mafia is down to a chronic failure of the police to pursue welfare crimes (not difficult to do). Notwithstanding the fact that some of these beggars (or their masters) are paying someone to be allowed to be there. Ultimately, give them food, rather than money, but don't entirely ignore them, you wouldn't want to be in that position would you!
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