HI Most foreigners have no idea or any perceptions of thailand most don't even know it exists or where it is. at least in the USA LOL. It depends who you ask also. If you ask in Bars then it all is about sex. but mostly urban myth type response no first hand knowlegde. if you ask in church then it is about helping poor and trying to convert. actually more people in churches have first hand knowledge than people in bars" go figure". I was out and about yesterday asking people what their perceptions were just for kicks 85% had no perceptions most didn't even know where thailand was. or any thing about it here are some of the reponse's I watched a special on TV once doesn't Thailand have too many big snakes.? Do they have shopping centers there "really" they have elephants? really" I thought only Africa had elephants so is Thailand in Africa I like the cloths and dance. and culture. I loved the movie the King and I I am sure if I went to a bar or strip club the reponse's would have been much different I don't know about the rest of the world but American's know very little about the world.