Bangkok, Police believe there are Thai people backing the Chinese beggar movement. Close to criminalizing Thai people giving shelter Ready to move forward and expand it into a human trafficking ring or not?
Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat Traiphot, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Discussing the results of the operation to arrest Chinese international beggars. It was found that from November 10-20, 2023, a total of 6 Chinese people who came to work as beggars were arrested and 3 were fined 100 baht, 400 baht, and 500 baht each. The rest are in the process of being investigated.
Of the 6 beggars, 1 was expelled from the country by the Immigration Bureau, while the rest were detained in the Immigration Bureau's detention room for preliminary investigation. They testified in a prepared manner that there were wounds on their faces. and the body was caused by a fire accident in China For other information, refuse to provide information. The Immigration Bureau will blacklist all 6 Chinese beggars, banning them from entering Thailand for 10 years, and from the investigation, they also found links between the 6 Chinese beggars, some of whom used translators to translate into Thais. same house and there were 2 people staying together at a hotel in the Wang Thonglang area The remaining 4 people are staying in separate hotels in Bangkok.
However, police have not determined that it is an international human trafficking ring. Using Thailand as a base for begging to send money back to China? Initially, it was believed that it would be a process. And there are Thai people behind the scenes, such as giving shelter to beggars. It would probably be criminalized for providing shelter to foreigners as well.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat stated the timeline of the Chinese beggars that after getting off the plane which was discovered traveling into Thailand for the first time last June Using a tourist visa, 1 person went to apply for further studies online. and request to change from a tourist visa to a student visa in order to have the right to stay in Thailand for a longer period of time After that, Chinese beggars will spread out to sit and beg in community areas and tourist attractions. By relying on a pitiful appearance as a point of attracting people to give alms. Especially Thai people who has a weak point of being a sympathetic person Generate income of over 10,000 baht per day.
The Police Commander and the Police Commander have urged them to speed up the crackdown. Therefore, an operational team was set up to take action. Consisting of child and women's welfare police officers (DDS), immigration police, local police, and MSD to investigate the origins of the beggar movement. It was discovered that Chinese beggars would exchange coins received from begging for thousands of baht. But no place to exchange the money for Chinese yuan has been found. From now on, police will intensify inspections of Chinese tourists with deformed bodies entering Thailand. To prevent illegal entry into the profession of begging
Mr. Sarawut Munpho is the Director of the Welfare Protection and Quality of Life Promotion Division. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (Ministry of Social Development and Human Security) said that the Minister of Social Development has urged to move forward with organizing beggars by strictly enforcing the Beggar Control Act of 2016. According to the information, there are currently 7,151 beggars, 4,688 Thai beggars and 2,473 foreigners, most of whom are Cambodians and Myanmar. which came to beg for alms in the form of a movement
In addition, Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat also stated that from now on, if it is found that those traveling to Thailand intend to work as beggars, visa granting will have to be strictly considered. And must also teach the government that the granting of free visas is It has resulted in some groups of people coming in. and cause damage to the country.
Source: Thai News Agency