Like many countries, there's high chance you will come across beggars when you are in our city of Angle-Bangkok, the capital city. Beggars are prevalent in Thailand.
It's a tough call to ignore them. Some of them do it voluntarily, but some are the victims. Physically, they are far different from street beggars in the countries I have visited. (I have been to around 22 countries, I think.)
When I am abroad, I can see that the beggars in some countries are not handicapped or physically challenged at all, if my eyesight serves me right. Here, in Thailand, let's say, you can see walking impaired person crawling on his chest trying to pass you by very slowly in a blazing sun in any day while you are trying to find your way on the street. Many are so physically challenged and so young that you can't imagine how hard their life can be.
(photo by Gene Tewksbury - Blue Gel Photography)
I have read that many of them are controlled by a gang and some are not even Thai. Some carry little baby with them and I heard that sometimes they are not their babies. Some also have a partner; I mean a blind beggar will be led by a see-man/woman whom I think may be his or her spouse or child. The worst kind of beggar is a fake one. To be honest, I don't feel like giving my money to them especially child beggars as inside my heart I feel mad at their parents who let them do this kind of thing. Instead, my way of helping blind beggar is walking with them or helping them catch the right bus when I am not in a rush (Most of the time, I am not always in a rush when I see them at the bus stop.) Anyway, from my observation, a lot of blind people are not beggars, I mean they are musicians. Some blind people do sing beautifully, and that is why they perform music in exchange of money and many also sell lottery.
On average, I do spare my changes (around 5 baht) to some who look very sick and I surely can identify that they are not FAKE. Seeing them makes my heart drops. I don't know what tourists think of beggars in my country. I would love to hear from you. Have you ever supported beggars? For those who have been in my country, do you find them pitiful or do you feel like you don't want to see them? I am not ashamed of my country fellow, it's just my curiosity.
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In my city, Denver, it's a disgrace. We have people on the street begging who are wearing North Face jackets and $100 nike shoes. They are clearly able and could easily go get labor work at any day-work facility. They just don't. Because they actually make more money standing on the side of the road. Often they even have cars,, they'll be begging with a sign "ran out of money, need money for gas to get home". It's pathetic. This country is so spoiled.