Homeless Westerners on the Rise in Thailand

The number of homeless westerners living on the streets of Thailand is increasing with many choosing to stay in the country despite their situation, a Thai charity says.

Full Story:

The number of homeless westerners in Thailand grew in 2013, a Thai non-profit organization said, putting the current figure at around 200.

The Issarachon Foundation was founded in 1996 and specializes in improving the quality of life of homeless residents in Thailand including providing educational services and healthcare needs.

It reported earlier in September that many homeless westerners separated from their Thai wives and were kicked out of their own homes.

Since their property was bought in their Thai wives' names, they cannot legally fight to stay.

In other cases, homeless foreigners suffer from mental illnesses or from drug or alcohol abuse, said the foundation.

Shelter volunteers from Baan Mitmaithree of Pattaya, located in the popular beach town known for its sex industry, walked the streets on Tuesday looking for anyone needing assistance.

[Stephen Francis Quinn, 59-Year Old Citizen from the United Kingdom]:
"I need to go home for health, I know that. I need to go home for health. I like it here because I've got many friends who help me now. Many friends. I'm not sure what I want anymore."

Quinn has been living on the streets of Pattaya for over two years.

The fee for a foreigner overstaying their visa in Thailand is 16 dollars a day with a maximum penalty of 630 dollars.

Shelter volunteers say many cannot afford to pay.

The law states that shelters cannot assist homeless people living in Thailand illegally unless it is an emergency, under those conditions they can be housed for 15 days.

[Rungnapha Noirakthong, Volunteer, Baan Mitmaithree Shelter, Pattaya]:
"Most of the homeless foreigners overstay their visa, so they are here illegally. And since they're illegal and if we help them, that means we're breaking the law too. But for humanitarian reasons, we take care of them as needed."

Many of the homeless survive by begging or asking friends for money.

One North Carolina native, who has a brother living in New York City, says his wife threw him out of home and he has no plans to return.

[Sylvester Ancram, Homeless]:
"It's a lot less stress here, you know, and I'm more comfortable here than I am at home. I don't have to worry about gunshots and all those crazy stuff like this and I'm just comfortable here."

43-year old Theunis Jalte de Yong from the Netherlands, who also sleeps on the streets, has a similar story.

De Yong says he cannot go back to his native Holland because his Thai wife and children are in Thailand.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports says over 22-million tourists visited Thailand in 2012, setting a new record.

Thailand has a continuous increase of western retirees settling permanently in the country because of its hot climate and low living costs.