CityNews – On September 30, a meeting was held by Mayuree Yoktree of Chiang Mai’s Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office to lay out plans on how to clear Chiang Mai of beggars and the homeless before the start of the high tourist season.
Plans were made with police and municipal officers to crackdown on the homeless and beggars in the city, with a focus on business zones and markets, such as Warorot Market, the Night Bazaar and Thapae Road.
Mayuree added that most beggars in the city are in fact immigrants, and despite being sent back to their home country upon arrest, often make their way back into Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a tourist hub so during the high season beggars can allegedly receive up to 1,000 baht a day.
In the past three months, 31 homeless people and beggars have been arrested. 20 were immigrants, the rest held Thai nationality.
Of those arrested, the immigrants were sent back to their home country, while the Thai nationals were sent back to their hometowns.
Mayuree also asked for tourists and locals to not give money to beggars or the homeless in order to maintain a ‘good image’ of Chiang Mai.
New crack down operations are planned to begin again soon.