A TikTok user posted a video depicting a disheartening scene at a bus stop in front of The Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok on July 28. The video showed a group of homeless individuals occupying the seating area, turning it into makeshift beds, leaving no space for waiting passengers. As a result, the poster had to stand while waiting for the bus.
Despite the bus stop area being recently renovated and still looking new and clean, the video sparked a variety of reactions from netizens. Some argued that not all the people at the bus stop might be homeless; some could have missed their bus or traveled from other provinces and couldn’t afford accommodation, so they stayed at the bus stop overnight to continue their journey in the morning. Many shared similar experiences and perspectives, with some expressing concerns about the increasing presence of homeless individuals in various areas, such as near Khlong Lot.
Comments included mixed opinions. Some people remarked that a developed country should have homeless people like in the United States, suggesting that Thailand is truly becoming more developed. Others noted that the area around Khlong Lot is getting crowded with homeless people, seeing it as a sign of progress.
There were also criticisms of the government’s management, with comparisons made to the Philippines, suggesting that highly educated people are failing to manage effectively, and officials are harassing citizens instead of helping them. Additionally, some commented that if street vendors are selling in unauthorized areas, it is right for officials to remove them as it is illegal and inconveniences pedestrians.
Some commenters suggested solutions, like redesigning seating areas to discourage sleeping or providing shelters for the homeless. Others called for government action to manage the situation, suggesting that charity alone is insufficient to address the complex issues faced by homeless individuals, including unemployment, family conflicts, and a preference for a more independent lifestyle.
