Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has asked people to stop giving money to beggars as they are increasing in number, claiming that some make almost 100,000 baht a month.

Mr Varawut said on Tuesday that his ministry has been working with several agencies to curb begging.

Ministry officials conduct sweeps five times a month to arrest beggars on the streets, he said.

Arrested foreign beggars are deported back to their countries while Thai beggars are sent to a home for the destitute, where they receive career training and are encouraged to find work, said Mr Varawut.

The punishment for begging can be up to one-month in prison and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht.

Most of their income comes from tourists or the general public, Mr Varawut said.

The minister also said that about 7,000 beggars have been caught over the last 10 years, and 30% of that number were foreign.

“I’d like to ask for people’s cooperation in stopping giving to these beggars as they keep coming back and are increasing in number”, he said.

When asked about their income, Mr Varawut said there was no confirmation, but they usually receive a lot from foreign visitors during the high season. Some of them make nearly 100,000 baht in a month, he said.