Thai Authorities Crackdown on Suspected Foreign Beggar Networks in Bangkok

Bangkok—

On November 19th, 2023, Mr. Kanthat Phongpaiboonwet, also known as Kan Jom Phalang, and Thai police captured a Chinese woman in suspicion of being involved in human trafficking who allegedly begged for money in the Bangkok area.

Later, at 5:00 PM, on November 20th, 2023, Kan Jom Phalang and Bang Rak police officers conducted a further investigation on another Chinese beggar who appeared in front of the Bangkok Christian Hospital, according to the report from Thai reporters.

Thai reporters publicly stated that the Chinese beggar who reportedly named himself as Mr. Xiao Long, 30, allegedly claimed that he had been in Thailand for more than 10 days and only sat there as a beggar for 3 days. Long reportedly told the Thai reporter through an interpreter working at a Chinese restaurant nearby that he lost his money and was advised by another Chinese person to be a beggar.

Thai reporters asked Long for his legal documentation and Long reportedly said that his passport was in his room but he had a picture of his passport on his phone. When asked to show it to Thai reporters, Long reportedly said that his phone was broken.

On the same day, Lt. Thanakrit Jitareerat, the Secretary to the Minister of Justice, publicly stated that foreign beggars who illegally begged for money in the Bangkok area may be involved in human trafficking. Further investigation will be conducted with cooperation from Thai Special Investigation officers on whether the alleged beggars hold valid documentation or not to legally stay in Thailand.

Additionally, based on an update on November 21st, 2023, as per orders from Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, relevant police officers raised security measures, emphasizing integration with international security agencies to eradicate foreign beggars in the Bangkok area.

During an investigation at night on November 20th, 2023, on the streets in Sukhumvit, Nana BTS Station, and Khlong Toei, many foreigners who allegedly behaved as beggars were reported. Some of them reportedly had a child with them. The police officers asked for documentation, however, there were two Laos nationals and two Cambodian nationals who reportedly held no documentation.

Initially, the police officers took hold of them for the legal process and pledged to conduct further investigation to capture involved parties who allegedly exploited the groups of foreigners.

Immigration officials asked for cooperation from citizens to report those in question of illegally asking for money via the hotline 1178.