Buskers who stage performances in public areas in exchange for money will need approval from authorities after the cabinet yesterday agreed to a law change which will also outlaw begging.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting yesterday, government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the cabinet has approved a new bill to ban street begging and regulate busking activities, proposed by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.
The changes would replace the Begging Control Act, which only imposes curbs on begging, and which has been in force since 1941.
The move is aimed at ending the practice of people begging on the streets and will encourage those found begging to find careers, the spokesman said.
He did not say what would happen to those who are physically incapacitated or too told to work.
Under the bill, all street beggars would be banned and those who beg for money in public places would be taken for occupational training programmes to start a career if they are Thais and deported if they are migrants.
Buskers would be required to seek approval from local authorities first. Those who perform without permission would be penalised.
The ministry is to work on a clear definition of begging before forwarding the bill to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration.