This photograph taken on May 20, 2017 shows 'hermit' Toon (L) preparing protective string before praying for his Taiwanese client at his home in the northern Thai province of Khon Kaen. From communing with forest spirits to whipping up love potions, Thailand's cave-dwelling 'hermits' once conducted their supernatural endeavours with just ancient magic and ritual as their guide. But today's sorcerers are more connected than ever: armed with smart phones, Facebook profiles and business-savvy, a new crop of mystics are harnessing tech to cultivate followings across Asia. / AFP PHOTO / Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / TO GO WITH Thailand-religion-technology, FEATURE by Sally MAIRS
KHON KAEN, Thailand: From communing with forest spirits to whipping up love potions, Thailand’s cave-dwelling hermits once conducted their supernatural endeavours with just ancient magic and ritual as their guide.
But today’s sorcerers are more connected than ever: armed with smartphones, Facebook profiles and business-savvy, a new crop of mystics are harnessing tech to cultivate followings across Asia.
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