> Compared to these countries, Thailand's sex tourism scene seems far more seedy and exploitive.

Compared to first world countries, commercial relationships (especially between first-world tourists and locals) in third-world countries often seem more seedy and exploitive. I think that's more about the inherent nature of relations across giant wealth and cultural gulfs than anything else.

So, while it's not a good thing, I don't think it's anything special that that's true about the sex trade.