Beggars and the poor

[Wolf Cat]

I used to give my spare change to the farang and Thai beggars on the street but after reading about the scams they pull now I only donate to the legit orphanages but not to Father Ray's, that place is the 5 star hotel of orphanages and that's a good thing for the kids there but after a visiting and donating to a few not so well known orphanages and seeing how those kids live it hits you in the heart on how bad their life is.

[whipalit111]

I don't like to give money to beggars, it will encourage them to beg more. If the lady in the gutter with the baby gets money, she will continue to sit in the gutter with the baby.

I dont mind buying chewy or wristbands off them, cos at least they are having a go and not just asking for free cash.

Another thing I like to do is chuck a few coins in those water machines if i have a pocketful, cos then there is free water for whoever needs it.

Also, if you have a mountain of change, put it in the phone recharge machines and get yourself some credit, better than giving it away.

[whipalit111]

actually had a guy (farang) ask me if i could give him 100 baht, he was broke or some shit excuse.

i told him im not giving him money, but if he was fair dinkum i'd buy him a sandwich or smth to eat.

he said if i could buy him a loaf of bread and bottle of water, it would be great.

we went into the family mart across the road and he got a loaf and bottle of water.

he thanked me and couldnt have been more appreciative.

[whipalit111]

I used to frequent soi 7 for quite a while and was always met by the little guy, I'm sure most people know who I'm talking about, he knew after a few beers I became increasingly generous (my fault not his) Our last meeting I gave him 20 baht and he sat there sulking and refused to go because he wanted 100, so what did I do? I took the 20 back and told him "that's you're lot buddy, never again" and I never have.

i used to make that guy dance for 20 baht

[Eskorteprinsen]

 

When I saw a beggar in a wheelchair,stood up,packed his things,and his

wheelchair,and took off (it was late,and no people watching,except me)

I stopped giving anything to beggars.(This happened in Oslo a few years ago;but still....

Ps:I am still laughing when I think about this situation  

Beggars can often make more money than ordinary people,at least in my country,

so those people I don't feel sorry for.A documentary on TV2 showed a man begging,and

by the end of his "shift" (eight hours) he had made 2000 NOK =266 dollars (tax free).Not bad for a days

lazy work.Off course its different in the poorer places of the world.

[phil99]

There used to be a woman on 2nd Road just a way bit further than Walking Street begging with a baby in her arms. Two years later I walked past and the baby hadn't grown up. Must be very malnourished. I normally save my 'slummy' up during my stays. Just 1, 5 baht coins. It soon adds up. Give it to a girl from the Mercy Centre (orphanage) that I know. Always get a receipt from her.

[The Jackal]

I stopped giving money to the needy in Pattaya a long time ago because was never sure how much they really needed it but recently in Nong Khai at a gas station i saw an eldery woman looking very destitute sleeping on a bench, needed a wash,clothes and food and probably health needs too, the whole works, i was quite drunk and feeling a bit soft so gave her 1000 baht, the response i got was like i had transformed her life and the tears were streaming, cant imagine that kind of reaction in Pattaya, just a wai and big smile..

[Whalley]

When I see someone begging on the street for my hard earned cash, my first thought is;

 

"they're just going to waste it on drugs and alcohol".

 

As I'm about to walk away, I realize that's exactly what I'm planning to do.

 

With that thought, I usually stop and give what I can.

[Bagheera]

I was eating at Yakuza burger bar next to Heart rock pool on Walking Street last night. there was a woman with a young baby sitting on the ground begging. In the half hour I was there she got a lot of 20 baht notes in the cup and quick as lightning she would whip them out and in to her pocket. In the half hour I was watching she definitely had at least a couple of hundred baht made. At one stage when she thought nobody was looking she pulled an iphone out of her pocket checking something on it. When she saw me watching her she threw me a dirty look. I just shook my head at her in disgust. The same woman can be seen begging during the day on second road next to the entrance to view talay 6. I for one won't be making any contributions to help pay her iphone bill.

[Bourne189]

There are always individuals that will try and beat the system and want a free lunch, while others really do need a helping hand. One needs to read in between the lines when giving money away and ask if the person really needs it or are they a scammer.

[One hung low]

When I see someone begging on the street for my hard earned cash, my first thought is;

"they're just going to waste it on drugs and alcohol".

As I'm about to walk away, I realize that's exactly what I'm planning to do.

With that thought, I usually stop and give what I can.

thats classic Whaley , I can relate to that.

I am pretty selective as to who I give Money to, it is a rare occasion. But I was in Chang Mai, and this old lady was walking around, she must have been 85-90, could hardly walk , I thought she could use it and obviously wasn't doing very well. I have her my loose change.seeing the smile on her face seemed worth it.

[Whalley]

thats classic Whaley , I can relate to that.

I am pretty selective as to who I give Money to, it is a rare occasion. But I was in Chang Mai, and this old lady was walking around, she must have been 85-90, could hardly walk , I thought she could use it and obviously wasn't doing very well. I have her my loose change.seeing the smile on her face seemed worth it.

I hate it when I see an able-bodied young person holding a sign,

 

"Can't find job. Need food. Bla Bla Bla"

 

I would rather give to this guy:

[robw]

At least he's not bullshitting.

[BSJ]

Many beggars are working for the Thai mafia, it's a lucrative business for the mafia....and for the ones not in the mafia.

[noshow]

Yes most of the girls do like a Farrang who gives money away freely.

Especially if it's to themselves.

[noshow]

I had a guy from England ask me for money on my last trip. First he asked if I spoke English. I said yes. Next he says I'm broke and don't have money for food. Can I have 100 bath? I go to reach for my baht in my pocket. Then he says i won't buy beer with it. I took my hand out my pocket and told him I was short on money myself. The goodness in me would have given it to him but he talked himself out of it.

I was in the bar of a hotel in Pattaya a few years ago, this German guy started talking to me (I don't mind strangers talking to me if they are sober, clean and tidy) after a pleasant conversation, we parted and I went up to my room.

 

About 30 mins later he knocks on my room door and asks me for some money, I did not take any time to think as soon as the word money was mentioned. I told him to beat it and not to ever approach me again. I do not drink, but the guy must have drank at least a couple of pints while we speaking.

[noshow]

I feel i should give money but never sure if they are real or just some con with the money going to their "boss".  These women with small children look like a set up.

These are all set ups, sometimes not even the womans own kids. It is believed that these very young kids are drugged to keep them sleeping.

[Trvlr]

There's not much use over thinking the matter.

If you see someone who makes you feel like helping why not just give them 10 baht or whatever?

Having said that, I admit that it is hard not to be cynical. People have come up with so many creative ways to get our money. So, as someone above said, at the end of your trip just give a small amount to an established charity.

If you want to be even more particular then calculate the number of needy people you may have run across and pay accordingly.

Some religions such as Islam require paying a percentage of your wealth to charity every year. You could try a variation of that.

[phil99]

Once in Jomtiem an old sailing mate of mine was in town and we went on a bender for 5 days or so (can't remember). My mate went inside the 7-11 and I waited outside sitting on the step, unshaven and looked like shit. A muslim fella walked past and shoved a 1,000 baht note in my hand. I had 30K in my pocket. Before I realised what had happened he was away. The girls in the bar had a free drink.

[climber44]

   When I was living on Antigua, we had a crack head who used to beg outside of the casino every night. He was a young guy but the drugs got to him really bad. Over the course of several months, his clothes got more and more ragged, until they reached the point where they weren't really covering him at all.

   One night while I was out smoking, all of the taxi drivers out front were giving him a hard time about his clothes, or lack of clothes. A tourist couple walked out of the casino and instead of asking for money for food like he usually did, he said "Give me ten dollars and I'll buy new clothes." I just had to laugh.

[QuotaMan]

Seems to be a turn on for some girls to see the guy they are with give to the needy... Seems to make them think you are good guy and 'different'.

Actually it's many guys that think that by openly showing charity in front of the girls, it will impress and woo them, because it shows how jai dee he is, not like THOSE other sex tourists.

 

I don't give to beggars at all especially little kids running around. I had one little boy approach me near entrance to Tims boutique few years ago with a cup. I ignored him.

 

Last thing we want in Pattaya is beggar kids swarming around tourists like they do in other poorer countries. Think before you act.

[Docker]

I think you have to make your own decisions as to who is needy, there is an old guy (40 to 50) who have the lower part of both legs missing that you see around the bars and I have no issue giving money to him.

All the kids and able-bodied people can get a bloody job like the rest of Thailand.

[Stevo7676]

Couple of years back. A mate came over for 2 weeks and we got pissed for a week. I hadn't shaven and looked I just crawled out of a bin. Going on the piss again my mate went inside a 7-11 to buy something. I sat on the step outside with a can of ale in my hand. A muslim bloke walked and put 500 baht note in my hand. I had 25K in my pocket. He was gone before I had time to give it back. My favorite BG had a good drink and tip.

That is a fukn classic

[Vicbit]

I also try not to give money to beggars.. but sometimes the small change goes to a beggar... unfortunately some tourist don't know the difference between the coins... :-)

What surprises me is how many stranded western people you see... many of them not beggars, but you see them collecting bottles or eat the food donated to the ghosts along the street... Some in really bad condition... (health).

[Merdan]

Seems to be a turn on for some girls to see the guy they are with give to the needy..