Six Chinese nationals, who were found begging in Bangkok and are now in police custody, entered Thailand legally, taking advantage of visa-free entry for Chinese tourists.
The beggars, some of whom have wounds on their bodies, are believed to be victims or members of a transnational human trafficking network making money in major cities in Thailand through street begging, preying on the generosity of the public.
The six beggars were arrested in Pathumwan, Phaya Thai, Bang Phlat, Bang Rak and Thung Mahamek districts of the capital and have been fined between Bt100 and Bt500 each. One of them has already been deported back to China, while the rest are awaiting deportation.
Police say that all six will be blacklisted and prohibited from re-entering Thailand for ten years.
Today, a whistle-blower informed the police at the Chorakhe Noi station about a suspicious person who was seen begging at the Lat Krabang evening market.
The informant claimed that the beggar appeared to be blind and could not walk, but when someone stared at him for some time, he suddenly got up and left the scene unaided.
It is reported that each beggar can earn up to Bt10,000 by begging for just six hours a day, which is much more than the minimum wage in Thailand.
