Life is changing rapidly for the half-million cash-poor, uneducated highlanders. They struggle to comprehend the downside that can accompany promises of easier lives that the charismatic missionaries tout. Materialism and the market economy have ridden into their once isolated and self-sufficient communities on the back of electricity and tourism
For the majority of Chiang Rai Akha, one of many tribal nations spread across Indochina's mountains, Christianity has replaced traditional religion over the past decade. Matthew McDaniel, an American working for a decade to preserve Akha culture, calculates that 65 percent of 150 Akha villages, home to 35,000 people, now are Christian.
McDaniel estimates that more than 100 organizations are proselytizing. "There's way too many missionaries coming. It's become a free-for-all. They come in with money from their home churches, with four-wheel drives, living like kings, like they never would back home," said McDaniel, whose forthright campaign upset many people, spurring whispers about his motives. McDaniel was reportedly deported by Thai authorities after being interviewed for this article; the reasons for the deportation are unclear.
Thailand is undergoing a spiritual "gold rush" because its "heathen" tribes hold promise for missionaries, who face few restrictions, as communities from which to reach millions more brethren scattered across the hard-to-reach peaks of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Yunnan in southern China.
"It seems many of these missionaries are agents for Christian fundamentalist groups, especially from the US, who are competing to expand by converting more people, which means they can garner more donations and hence convert more people," said Ralana Maleeprasert, Research and Development head at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
A sharp increase in foundation-status applications from missions has raised official eyebrows. "We want to know what's behind them, their real intentions, what they want with the children," said Sergeant Sukich Surin of the Tourist Police. "The Thai government is very concerned about this now."
David Fullbrook/Asia Times May.15.04
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Matthew McDaniel Arrested in Thailand
Matthew McDaniel was arrested on 11:00 AM Thursday, April 15th at the Maisai Immigration Checkpoint while going to deliver vitamins to an Akha friend in Burma. Matthew McDaniel was fighting to save the land of Aooh Yok Akhe that was being taken by the government. In January 2004, Matthew McDaniel officially filed a report with the U.N., citing 47 cases of murder, extrajudicial killings, torture and other abuse by the Thai Army and Police against Hill Tribe People.
For three weeks, Matthew McDaniel had heard serious rumors from leaks at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand that he was going to be deported. He complained via email to Embassy Personnel that such leaks were reckless and illegal and asked for the reports to be confirmed. However, the Embassy gave no reply, negligence that prevented Mr. McDaniel from making arrangements to protect himself and his wife from police abuse, arrest and deportation. Matthew McDaniel�s wife is pregnant and he has four children living in Chiang Rai.
Mr. McDaniel is currently held by the Thai Authorities at the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center and awaiting deportation. He has been informed of the charges against him or been able to speak with a lawyer about his case. The U.S. Embassy has not sent a representative to discuss the status of his case or the possibility of stopping the deportation proceedings. For now, Mr. McDaniel waits, knowing his wife and children are at risk, and hoping that he can challenge the legality of his arrest and deportation through formal channels.
edwin/Independent Media Centre Apr.22.04
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Most of them are now hanging around at bus stops
Pravo [Czech] carried a story this week saying President Vaclav Klaus and the heads of both chambers of parliament had received a letter from the US Southern Baptist Convention warning against the planned legalisation of prostitution.
BBC News May.11.04
