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A Bangkok-wide survey will be conducted to estimate the number of beggars, both Thai and illegal immigrants, operating in the capital's 50 districts, he added.

Over the weekend the authorities arrested 557 foreign beggars, of whom 220 were men, charged them with illegal entry and are preparing to have them repatriated to Cambodia. The arrests were made jointly by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry and its newly established National Operation Centre on Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking.

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who oversees the government's overall operations, said the arrests would kick-off measures against human traffickers. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration hopes spearheading this project would help make it a role model for other provincial authorities.