“We want to ensure that the foreign beggars who have been deported are not allowed to return again. For that, we will be preparing agreements for the countries of origin to sign,” Department of Social Development and Welfare’s (DSDW) director general Puttipat Lertchaowasi said yesterday.

Between October 2014 and January 2016, his department found 1,409 foreigners begging for money in Thailand. Most of them were in found in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Samut Prakan. Over the same period, 2,487 beggars were identified as Thais.

Puttipat said his department had alerted immigration police when the foreign beggars were found so the deportation process could start.

“For Thai beggars, we have tried to extend help by talking to their families and advising them on what state support they can get,” he said.