Join a cult and get paid
Around Northern Thailand there's an amazing collection of christian missionary groups. Christianity has never really taken hold in Thailand, most people aren't interested, but they've had a lot of success with socially disadvantaged hilltribe groups.

I can only assume that describing your activity as "bringing the word of god to backward savages in the remote jungles of Asia" is a sure-fire fundraiser in the west. It turns out that to get the most converts for your buck, the most effective way is simply to pay them to come to church. (Supposedly it represents compensation for the loss in wages from taking a day out from the fields.) Local labour wages are under 5 USD per day. I'm not quite sure what the justification is for paying children to attend, since they wouldn't be working. What is very clear is that school children are targetted as easy converts.

Or perhaps I should say easy prey. Thing is, underage prostitution has been chased out of Bangkok, but it's easy to live away from watchful eyes up in the mountains around Chiang Mai. There aren't many jobs for Westerners up there; but missionary "allowances" pay more than any local salary.

So next time the plate is being passed around in your local church, give a few dollars to support Western paedophiles in Thailand. Thanks.
(Mori, Sat 28 Jan 2006, 7:27, Reply)