The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has approved law that bans street beggars but will allow buskers provided they have a licence.
The military-appointed assembly approved the Begging Control Act by 178 votes to two with seven abstentions.
The law forbids all begging and sets out punishments for anyone who forces or supports others to beg or uses others to facilitate their begging.
However, the ban does not apply to people asking for money from friends and relatives, fundraising allowed by a fundraising law and fundraising for religious affairs.
Buskers, meanwhile, will need licences from district offices and will be limited to performing in areas to be specified in a ministerial regulation.
NLA member Wallop Tangkhananurak said people who earned a living by giving street performances had waited for a proper law for 75 years. After the law is published in the Royal Gazette, authorities will issue the relevant regulations within 90 days. he added.
The regulations will include provisions for assistance to any beggars found to be in violation of the law and rounded up by authorities.