Welcome to the Bangkok Slaughterhouse: The Battle for Human Dignity in Bangkok's Bleakest Slums Kindle Edition

Currently I'm a volunteer English teacher at Mercy Centre (5 month term) and can attest to the absolute integrity, validity and honesty of this program. Most of Klong Toei's residents live on the margins of society. Those who are monetarily successful are few in number. After reading a review dated 6-08 I'm appalled by the inaccuracy and downright meanness of the book's review. There are few areas that are air conditioned and those consist of offices. Classrooms are traditional in Thai design with ceiling fans that provide little relief. I've visited the Moken program in the south of Thailand run by Mercy along with a home for older students who reside there during the week while they attend school. I've visited Mercy Centre construction camp schools where children are fed, schooled and nurtured during the day while their parents work because of Mercy support. The elderly poor are given 600 baht a month or the equivalent of $18 U. S. a month for their needs by the government. Mercy Centre helps them with their monthly needs. The abandoned and homeless kids who are found and/or dropped off at Mercy Centre are cared and loved by Mercy staff. They live at the Centre. Lastly the educational program offered here to kindergarten and preschoolers is superb and on par of a top rated school anywhere in the world. Corporations and individuals give to Mercy Centre because it works and beyond reproach in integrity and honesty. Father Joe has written an honest and straightforward account of life here in Klong Toei. It's not a pretty place but it is a tight knit community and without Mercy Centre it would be even more difficult for residents. Come see for yourself when you're in Bangkok and I think you would walk away a somewhat changed person grateful for your own good fate given to you.

I purchased the book after my trip to Bangkok in 2009, were I spent 3 days at the Mercy Centre. I was fortunate to have met Father Joe Maier, the wonderful staff and beautiful children. I found the book an enjoyment to read, especially after having the first hand experience at the Mercy Centre. The work of Father Joe and the Mercy Centre is a deep and sincere love to protect the most vulnerable - children. I would highly recommend the book and volunteering your time at the centre - if the opportunity arose.

Received in a timely manner. Read in a couple days. Very eye opening, and made me want to help this ministry.

Unfortunately I've never had the chance to meet Father Joe, but his works have positively impacted my life since first learning of them in 1988.... The book is great, he's a great writer.....the stories compelling. Here is a guy who is always willing to take a stand for what is right and just, in a world where these ideals would be easy to sidestep. This many has done more for more people than anyone I know.

Arrived as advertised and quickly within 3 days!

Very interesting reading.

(Please use this as a my review instead of a response to 'Del's 1 star review)In 1974 I taught at The International School in Bangkok but during the summer I was a volunteer at the very first school in Klong Toey started by Father Maier and Sister Maria. It was a wonderful experience to be with the children. My Thai was lousy but music and art are universal languages and through that bond we got to know each other and just had fun. That school was a safe haven. No matter what happened or how awful some of their lives were school was security. Two great teachers taught them to read and write so they would have a better future than their parents and a way out of abject poverty. Those kids were smart. Any one of them would have done well in my class at ISB. All they needed was opportunity and someone to care.In response to 'Del' who, after visiting Klong Toey wrote a scathing review.... He came to Klong Toey expecting to see kids mired in pain, shame and abuse. Instead he saw happy children who, thru love and care, were overcoming the anguish of their past.In 1974 the first school had around 100 students. Now there are 35 schools and 50,000 slum kids have been educated. See what a little love and a lot of grit will do!

I was so deeply moved by the stories in this book that I visited the Mercy Centre in Klong Toey. The characters from the stories were not to be found; however, I was introduced to one whom they said was mentioned in a story. When my Thai interpreter asked her questions about her story, she got them all wrong. I understand the concept of face in Asia, but the barrage of lies from staff was repulsive. I waited in the lobby for almost an hour as they coached the little girl. She should have gotten at least one or two of the questions correct, don't you think? And they knew exactly who I wanted to see. This is a Christian organization? No wonder the Catholic church sent Father Joe packing from the US 30 years ago because of his renegade ideas. Even the Catholic Church didn't want him around to embarrass them.Klong Toey might be a slum, but there is money there. The Mercy Centre is not a run down, rag tag edifice. It is modern with air conditioning, lighting, and has a full-service media center with many computers, high speed internet access, and up to date equipment. Coca Cola Foundation donated it.Most Thai I talk to tell me that affluent Thai donate to this organization because they want to "look good." And the center takes all the money.The Mercy Centre will not adopt the children--not even the ones who are terminally ill. (They say 400 in all.) Why I ask myself? Because the funding would dry up.And this book is simply a pretty fiction to raise money.Flat out, blatant lies.Go there...ask questions...look around...your story will be the same.Here come all the spammers to contradict me...Addendum: We all know people in our circle of acquaintance who need help and support. Give to them and feel good about yourself.

lck kenne Klong Thoei aus eigener Erfahrung. Das was der Autor über diese Slums sagt, ist authentisch.