I helped this monk in Luang Prabang, Laos with his English at the literacy organization Big Brother Mouse. They’re in need of cash donations and one of the few charities where you can effectively volunteer for just a few hours.

I’ve only been scammed once since I started travel writing (knock on wood!), and it was, thankfully, very minor.

But I’ve seen many a scam happen.

I have a number of articles coming in the in-flight magazine for Singapore Airlines’ regional wing, SilkAir. The first one is about typical travel scams in Southeast Asia (and, yay, it merited a cover headline!).

Many scammers — especially in places still recovering from war, like Cambodia — prey on travellers’ desires to make a difference. So, in the spirit of promoting responsible tourism, I also give a few tips on how travellers, even those of the armchair variety, can effectively help developing countries.

Here’s the article: Think you’ve been conned?   And here’s the whole January 2016 issue.

Have you been scammed while travelling? Any lessons to share so others can avoid the same fate?

The Cambodian girls sitting in the door frame are selling postcards; keep them in school by never buying from kids.