Flower sellers

[MartinJ]

Hi all

Last time I was in Hua Hin there was a lot of flower selling;

This made me a tad unconformable, because of who was doing it.

I had to say no so many times, but every time I felt more and more wrong in saying no.

Some one told me that most bars have signs up saying that a fine would be levied if any one was found selling flowers in these bars,

Is this true?

How do the old hands (sorry) deal with this? Nicely
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[uncle tom]

Some people take issue with the young age of some of the kids selling flowers, but in less wealthy countries, family businesses are just that, - and I can think of worse jobs than wandering around with a handful of flowers to sell.

These kids are from poor families - so remember that you're the lucky one, and be grateful for that. As with all street traders in Thailand, be polite, and only show annoyance if they don't take no for an answer first time.

As a little diversion, most of the flower sellers will happily play you at Connect Four for the stake of one flower - but remember that they rarely lose!

Don't forget that we have child labour in the UK as well - who delivers your newspaper?

Tom
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[MartinJ]

Point taken

It there safety that concerns me more, they are young. But I have noticed they are well looked after by the BG around them

Great idea about connect 4, I am good at that only lost twice when I was there last time, and that was not fair as her friend distracted me. Must have played 5 times a day for a week.

My newspaper, i get i myself. Where i am we not have that option any more which was down to safety during the darker mornings. But that is the point i make and i guess the dark times we now live in
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[Farang]

'
Some of the flowersellers are kids rented out to flowertrade by their illegal Burmese parents.
Some of the flowersellers come from well-to-do Hua Hin families and attend the International School.
And if you have lost your cellphone on a drunken spree, chances are it has been lifted by the flowersellers.
They are quite proficient in it.
If you wat to help these kids, buy them a milk and a sandwich and make them eat it while you're watching.
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[Bamboo Grove]

Not so long ago, Her Majesty the Queen actually asked people not to support child labour by not purchasing from the kids who are more or less forced to sell on the streets. Not many people are taking her advice or maybe they just don't realize what's going on there. By no means are these kids from poor families, it's another mafia controlled thing.
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[Wesu]

Usually there is someone lurking in the shadows and watching them to take money take make off them. I guess they themselves don't get much commission if any.

[Fybo]

Two weeks ago, I was in P&P’s when the flower girls came in (there is one particular one, a pretty little thing, who I am told is 15 years old and allegedly, has a reputation or “borrowing” things from the bars or the visitors. I was also told, that allegedly, she has got acquainted with farrangs for the past two years), I got the usual pressure, sulks, etc, to buy some. I said no thanks, very politely, when my cell phone rang, the bar was noisy, so I went outside to take the call. It was raining so I sheltered under a building just by the crossroads. Whilst on the phone, the girl and another young flower selling girl came over to where I was on the phone. Being conscious of her alleged reputation, one hand was holding my phone and the other in my pocket where my money was. I shook my head, indicating for her to just move on, when she put out her hand and grabbed me in the nether regions and invited me to buy some flowers. At which point I moved rapidly back towards the bar. I can’t claim that her actions were because of my boyish good looks, as I am in the late forty’s and a tad overweight.

My point in all this long winded waffle is you need to be alert and aware of what may happen, especially if you have had a few beers! If I had been pick-pocketed and lost 3-4,000, it’s a bit of a pain and a major annoyance, but just suppose I responded to her touch (I didn’t BTW), she yells out, I get banged up for a serious sexual assault on a minor, and so on.
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[Jaime]

That is a sinister story about flower sellers but here's a nice one that perhaps reflects the side of Thailand that got most of us hooked:

My wife and I were leaving Gullivers restaurant and bar, just off Sukhumvit Road, BKK, just after having refused a flower from a little boy. He was probably about 9 or 10 years old. As we walked down the two or three steps to the soi, my wife spotted a 20 baht note on the floor. She let out an excited "Oooh" and bent down to pick it up. As she put out her hand to get it, it fluttered away. She stretched forward a touch and it jumped out of her grasp again, up into the air and into the hand of the little flower seller who burst into a joyful and wicked laugh - he had it on a piece of string! My wife playfully raised her hand and chased him away - they were both laughing their heads off!
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[tj]

Have been known to purchase from these kids on the odd occasion ( usually maow at the time) although realize that the money dos'nt go to the kids but either to the flower selling mafia or to the parents who do what? with the cash. Try to abstain if possible as it only encourages the parents/mafia to keep these kids out on the street instead of in bed at such late hours.
One of the more senior sellers around town has a larger income per month than most of the falang she services. Amazing Thailand
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[rosievictoria]

Could we think that the places where the flowers sellers go are also getting a cut from the proceeds.
If not why don't the bars and shops etc ban them from the premises.
Years ago when we first came to Hua Hin we were told it was well organised and the kids never got much of the money.
So it has been something that has gone on for years and really" should be nipped in the bud"

[olmate]

I havnt had too much of a problem with the flower sellers. Worst i got was one put there hand out and leaned against me in the street to stop me walking. So i leaned back and they soon left me alone. I have bought a flower or two before and after reading about "mafia controlled" and "child labour" it makes me wonder wher my money ended up.
Ok the person selling the flowers doesnt get much money, but they get something right?
I dont totally agree with the whole in your face late night selling to mute punters by young children but if they werent doing that what else would they be up to so they could make a buck?
Someone mentioned earlier in this forum that one of the flower sellers was mid teens. I dont see the problem with someone in there mid teens trying to make a buck, i was delivering newspapers when i was 12 and making a pittance compared to the newsagent but i always had a smile on my face after my measly payout after a sat/sun paper run.

olmatey
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[lomuamart]

I'm pretty sure that no business gets a cut of anything from the flower sellers. As for stopping/controlling it, it's virtually impossible. Tried it myself years ago and gave up after one night.
The only way is not to buy the flowers.
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[olmate]

As lomu said "stopping it or controling it is virtually impossible". It is a part of the place, and i might add the flower sellers arn't as bad as the watch sellers they f@#kin S#$t me!!
The way i see it is if you are a visitor or farang you are gonna cop it, until they get to know that your not interested in flowers and you just want have a good time.
I guess this is probably easier if you reside there.
Although when i visit it is usually only for 2 weeks and the harrassment usually gets nipped in the bud after one or two nights.
I will also add here in Oz you can go to a bar and also get harassed by people selling flowers, but of course then you are dealing with adults and you can politely tell them to........well you know what.

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[MartinJ]

[Jaime]