Chinese Beggars in Thailand Ignite Human Trafficking Fears

Photo=Facebook Capture

The appearance of Chinese beggars with severe physical damage has shaken Thai society.

According to Bangkok Post and Thai PBS on the 30th (local time), these individuals started to draw attention around the 10th of this month. Numerous photos taken by ordinary citizens were posted on social media. Their appearances were marked mainly by burns and scars all over their bodies, and some had missing limbs or faces so damaged they were unrecognizable.

All of them were begging for money in Bangkok, carrying bags or plastic boxes. Begging is illegal in Thailand.

Bangkok citizens who saw these individuals reacted suspiciously, and several reports were made. Eventually, Thai police intervened, and six men and women were arrested.

According to police investigations, they were all Chinese nationals. They told the police that they voluntarily started begging in Thailand after being severely injured in a fire in China. They claimed they did not know begging was illegal as it is not against the law in China. Investigations revealed they earned up to 10,000 baht (about $300) daily from begging.

However, suspicions of human trafficking emerged online because all of them were connected to a “Chinese interpreter.” They stayed together in accommodations such as apartments and hotels. Online comments included suspicions that “Chinese gangs are kidnapping non-disabled people, mutilating them, and forcing them to make money in Thailand,” “There may be a connection with international human trafficking organizations,” and “They might have been forced to beg due to torture and threats.”

Photo=Thai PBS

However, local police concluded that it is difficult to see these individuals as victims of human trafficking. They believe they took to the streets to beg voluntarily. As for the ‘Chinese interpreter’ linked to them, the police said, “There is no clear evidence yet that he exploited disabled Chinese individuals to make money.” Consequently, immigration authorities deported the six Chinese individuals who pretended to be beggars and banned them from entering Thailand for 10 years.

This incident has led to criticism of the Thai government’s policy towards Chinese tourists. There have been claims that the government has excessively relaxed tourist entry conditions, allowing even those whose identities have not been appropriately verified to enter indiscriminately. Previously, Thailand had allowed visa-free entry for Chinese tourists from the end of September until the end of February next year to recover its economy and tourism industry.