The Thai government has introduced a law that requires beggars to register for the right to beg, which includes a (lack-of) means test. If you can't prove you have no home/job/money/children to support you, no begging permit for you!

The introduction of this law is also designed to combat the ever-growing fleet of western beggars. They are no longer permitted anywhere in Thailand. Thai beggars don't have to compete anymore.