One way to try Thailand

[MrPeabody]

I'd like to throw out one possibility for young men who are interested in Thailand. Come to Thailand and study Muay Thai at a legitimate institute. The martial arts tends to be a bonding experience and attracts men who are disciplined and can make reliable friends. Maybe you could make some Thai friends while training and then meet women through their networks. Within a short period of time, you will be immersed in the culture, have real experience to see if you like it, and may come out with a girlfriend.

Here is an institute which appears to be legitimate.

http://www.muaythai-institute.net/Html/home.html

You can get a certificate for a course as little as 10 days. If you stay less than a month you don't need a visa, or you can get the two month tourist visa (tell the embassy you are only a tourist) if you want to study longer. This can be extended in Thailand to three months. An educational visa will be a lot more paperwork.

This will immediately get you into the culture without any bullshit or nonsense. You could spend years reading bullshit on the Internet and it won't get you anywhere. This way you will get immediate immersion into the culture where you can form your own opinions, and even if it doesn't work out, you will come back with a valuable skill and a better physical condition.