Writing out the Thai translation is his big draw. See the crowd around him. He had upwards of 20 in in audience while he slowly wrote out the Thai. Ohhhing and Ahhhing and a "geng na" was heard here and there. Not many actually gave the guy anything though. Mostly farang who were curious or naively concerned, like that guy in the picture who is sincerely trying to help the guy out. I bet our beggar friend has actually met countless kind-hearted travelers who've offered him great oppurtunities to get back, make money, or even offered him fully paid tickets home. The kindness of strangers especially off in the corners of the earth together...He SHOULDN'T be lasting so long in this shtick. I just wonder how he figures out how to REFUSE IT and WIGGLE OUT when that happens.
I bet if I sat on the sidewalk in BKK for a couple weeks and played the game just right, I could get back home for free...
This guy's been refusing people's brotherly love for years, I'd bet the farm on it. He's making far less than he's refusing. THAT'S what makes him a true asshole.