I have only been hit up for cash by Thai boys about 10,000 times. Dead water buffalo. Sick parents. Grandma needs help. I want to go to Europe. It spans the gambit. I do not give in. I do not give them money. However, I'll always do a short time with them or maybe a few overnights if they want to earn some cash. I don't mind this at all. But, I won't fall for the sick mama trick.
I had one American friend who paid for his BF's father's hospital bill, went to see him in the hospital and then paid for the funeral when he died. It was not cheap. About a year later the father has risen from the grave and in Pattaya to see his son. LOL