I can't vouch for Chiang Mai, but Thailand is one of the seediest, most polluted, dangerous (in Bangkok's case anyway) countries I ever been to, and I seriously can't imagine why anyone would choose to live there when there are far better places (with far less perverts and homos), like Cambodia and Malaysia.

Bangkok really seems to have a problem with tourists getting knived, too, plus their royal family is absolute garbage. I wouldn't give them any of my hard-earned money unless they stole it (which, knowing their culture, they probably would try).