The begging scam

[Dodger]

I put this down in the "To Be Expected" category.

Beggars used to be much more prevalent in Pattaya when the big money was flowing than they are now.

They don't bother me at all. I just smile and go about my business.

I remember back when the hills tribe women would canvas the bar areas in Pattaya - many times having one of their cute children with them as they sold their handicrafts. Not beggars mind you, just hills people migrating to where the rich farang were to make some money. I never saw anything wrong with that...and would actually buy things I really didn't want just to help them out.

Sadly, in my opinion, there were always a few farang with their noses stuck up in the air who looked down on them...didn't want them polluting their superior presense with their cheap knickknacks...and frequently complained to the bar owners to have them removed. That used to really turn my stomach.

[Gaybutton]

Maybe some believe these beggars really are poverty stricken unfortunates with nowhere else to turn other than to be begging in the streets just to survive. I, for one, don't believe a word of it. The whole thing is a scam. There is no reason why these people can't get a job or at least turn to charitable organizations. But they have neither need nor desire to do that. They are part of the scam. What angers me the most is the exploitation of children, whether it's their own children or children who I hate to think about how they ended up with these people. This is not how children should be treated and not how they should be living.
_____________________________________________________________

Cambodian family turns begging into a ‘Franchise’ operation in Pattaya

By Pattaya Mail

December 23, 2024

A group of Cambodian nationals, including women and young children, were spotted begging on the sidewalks in popular tourist areas of Pattaya On the evening of December 21. This group has reportedly returned after being previously apprehended by authorities for the same activity. Some of the individuals were even observed employing a “franchise-like” approach to begging, with different members of the family positioned at various spots, seemingly coordinated.

At a busy intersection along Second Road, near convenience stores and beer bars, the group of beggars included women holding plastic cups, sitting with their young children between 1 to 5 years old. They would raise their hands in a gesture of greeting or plea, hoping to elicit sympathy and donations from passing tourists.

One Cambodian woman, who was with her family, explained that her financial struggles in her home country forced her to bring her children to Pattaya to beg. She admitted that they had been caught and deported previously but managed to return by sneaking back in on a minivan. She shared that begging was an easy way to make money, leveraging the generosity of tourists.

The situation is concerning, as it not only poses a social issue but also damages Pattaya’s image as a popular tourist destination. Authorities are urged to take stricter measures to prevent this from continuing and restore the city’s reputation.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/cambod ... aya-484748

[Jun]

She shared that begging was an easy way to make money, leveraging the generosity of tourists

They're just going where the money is.
I would imagine Pattaya Police could stop most of this if they wanted to, but they're also busy following the money. I wonder how much tea money the beggars pay?