Abstract:
This research is aimed to study on the problems of enforcement measures for assisting beggars under the Begging Control Act B.E. 2484. There are many beggars in Thailand especially those who are forced or abused to become beggars and many of them do not receive serious assistance. The analysis study shows a lack of deep understanding in the measures for the authorities to sort out and assist beggars under the act. The law does not define clearly the period of time in assisting beggars. It does not neither define explicit penalties for people who support or encourage beggars to escape from the assistance nor define penalties for people who exploit beggars. As a result, enforcement measures in the Begging Control Act B.E. 2484 cannot effectively solve the begging problems.
The results of this study found that the remedy to control begging problems in Thailand should focus on the measures for assisting beggars. It is to begin with the process of getting beggars to seek assistance in which it should be examined by the commission consisting of the authorities and the specialists from various fields such as social workers, officers from the welfare, vocation training or treatment places, doctors in cases of beggars having physical or mental problems, lawyers and other relevant people. They will check and advise on the appropriate remedy for beggars. Moreover they will specify the period of time for beggars to receive assistance, monitor and assess the ongoing progress until the beggars can be made self-reliant at the end. These assistance measures should be taken in conjunction with punishment measures for a person or a group of people associated with helping the beggars to escape from the assistance as well as the exploiting of beggars. It is recommended to define comprehensive and clear penalties on the begging control act in Thailand in which it will substantially help and solve the begging problems.