Bali tourists who run out of money to be sent to embassies

Tourists in Bali who have run out of money are the responsibility of their respective embassies. INQUIRER.net stock photo

Tourists in Bali who have run out of money are the responsibility of their respective embassies, an immigration official said.

Setyo Budiwardoyo, who is stationed at Ngurah Rai’s immigration office, issued a statement about tourists who beg or scavenge in the Indonesian province known for its white-sand beaches. 

“We have seen many cases of problematic tourists, lately they are either Australian, British or Russian. We tend to report these cases to the relevant embassies, so they can oversee their citizens who are on holiday here,” he told Detik News via Coconuts Bali on June 25.

“If we are to discuss budget matters, I’d rather not give food to people who are pretending,” he said. Embassies should provide for its citizens in need, he added.

A British woman slapped an immigration official last July after being charged a fine for months of overstaying her tourist visa, Detik News reported. The same news outlet reported last October that a Bulgarian backpacker was seen scavenging for food in trash cans, with locals kind enough to give him food.

In Southeast Asia, tourists from Western countries seen begging for money or freebies to fund their travels have been dubbed begpackers—there is even a Facebook page called “Begpackers in Asia” dedicated to them.  Niña V. Guno /ra

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