Walk along the major streets of Bangkok and it’s hard to go one block without
seeing someone sitting on the ground with a cup in front of them asking for money.
Many are missing limbs, others are surrounded by children, and some seem to be lost in a drug-induced daze. But for those that are willing to talk to these people existing on the fringe of society, there is usually a compelling story about how life has led them to this point.
For 50-year-old Mrs. Wannee from Ubon Ratchathani finding a job was the main reason she came to Bangkok. When a job could not be found she did what many others have done and took to the streets. While she has a temporary home in Nonthaburi most of her day is spent around Nana where she earns about 200 baht a day as a beggar.
A portion of these donations or “earnings” go back to her grandchildren. Now cancer has made its way into her body and the illness, Wanne claims can’t be cured by 200 baht donations alone.
Not far from Mrs. Wannee is another woman suffering from a sickness.
Mrs. Bon-si, a Muslim, has lost her leg to diabetes and also comes to Nana to beg. But to earn money for herself she moves her location to various spots around downtown Bangkok relying on the contributions of others to get by.
Many people begging on Bangkok’s streets are not from Thailand but
are from bordering countries such as Cambodia. Mrs. Klean and Mrs. Nat
are two examples of this. Both are mothers with young children who have come from Cambodia. They spend night and day on the sidewalks earning about 100 to 150 baht each day.
Mrs. Nat has a total of eight children of which only three stay with
her in Bangkok. Mrs. Klean has four and brought two with her to
Bangkok. She uses her money for herself, her children, and her parents in Cambodia.
Even though many of Bangkok’s beggars seem to have few connections
many will not say they are working for a larger group. Some are accused of working under criminal rings who drop them off each morning at various locations to beg.
Reportedly, members of these groups provide their earning to their “organizers” and only a portion of the money donated will go to the beggars themselves. However, most beggars appear to be genuinely disadvantaged and do not have a home and must live and sleep on the sidewalks.
The Street Interviews:
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