It is exactly what you decide you want it to be. If you want golf, beaches, nice people and great food, then that is what it is. You can avoid the seedy aspects easily if you choose to.
Yes you are probably right. I’ve heard the golf (which I love to play) and the beaches are great, many of the people very friendly and I do love Thai food, but I can have all that right here at home. Of course then I also know how to avoid the seedier aspects here in the Baltimore area, and there are plenty of those (LOL) – But I also know where they are and what to look out for. I have plenty of street smarts but I don’t know how that translates to a place like Bangkok. I guess, as in any foreign country, it takes some research and perhaps a friendly well trusted local guide is the smart thing.
I’ve just read too many strange and disturbing stories about Thailand, especially involving the sex trade, kidnappings and terrorism to make me think it’s not the vacation destination for me. I also don’t want to vacation in Lebanon, Cuba,Sri Lanka or Mexico outside of the well protected all inclusive resorts, even if the beaches and the food is great.
But hey if you’re ever in Baltimore and need a local guide to keep you out of trouble, look me up (smile).
[...I've heard Thailand is a complete cesspool of every
imaginable depravity and yes a haven for pedophiles...]
And how is Thailand any different than say... San
Francisco, or any other major American city of iniquity?