Thailand?..........................
Here, too.
I had a friend some years back who had been through Teen Challenge and got saved and set free from his addictions.
He told me to NEVER, EVER give money to these people on the streets holding the signs. He knew them and said they were not really homeless and they would use the money for drugs.
He said that there are plenty of options for help for them and they know it, but refuse to abide by the rules of programs and be accountable. IOW, they really don’t want the help. He told me that if they really wanted out of the lifestyle, they could do it just like he did.
His advice for helping people was to give to an organization that has a good track record for helping others, or to do it through church, where you know the money is being used responsibly.
If I see someone begging who is old, crippled, missing a limb - then OK, I'll give some money - but the vast majority could hold a job easy and just the sound of crickets coming from our legislatures.
We're approaching the begging cultures of Third World countries - when I spent a year in Egypt, I was told that some families deliberately blind or maim their children so they can be effective beggars . This is the same country where families live in Cairo's biggest graveyard (called the City if the Dead) and yet more in in the city's biggest dump.
If I could change one thing I would shut down the Free Stuff Factory sponsored by our local churches.
It is ironic that the left knows not the feed the bears, or other wild animals, but can’t figure out not to do the same with beggars.
I only came to this thread because I thought it would be discussion about Zelenskysky.
Sounds like the Anchorage (AK) Muni council - they say the same thing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjf0ovM_1JU&t=88s
really great for tourism.
I remember the old 1950s TV show “Oh Susana!” with Gail Storm in which their ship is in India and they are told not to give money to the beggars.
Captain Huxley does, the beggar takes it then jumps into his fancy car and takes off.