I had a conversation with Tony, the white guy in the photo, not long after taking it.

“Those kids were begging for ฿10 – that’s not even 15p.”

“Most of them don’t even have shoes. That would be horrific in England.”

“The books and websites say we shouldn’t give them money – that it only encourages them to beg rather than find real work.”

“Look around. What kind of work is an eight-year-old kid going to find here?”

“I guess their parents should be taking better care of them.”

We gaze at one of the few adults present – a leper with a begging bowl.

“They’re still smiling at us though. Makes you think, doesn’t it?”