Many Americans believe their nation promotes a sexually permissive society. Sex is often discussed, the entertainment and advertisement industries lure customers with images of attractive men and women, and strip clubs abound in most cities. Some religious leaders claim America is awash in a moral wasteland. But the US seems puritanical in comparison to Thailand.

Calling Bangkok, Thailand the ¡®sex capital of the world' would be no exaggeration. The streets are filled with prostitutes begging men to sleep with them for $25 a night. Many tourists visit to sleep with as many partners as possible. Gay bars and clubs are popular. Pedophiles purchasing child prostitutes are commonplace. Many sex tour proprietors earned a fortune sending western men here.

Sexual sadists have also been drawn to Bangkok including John Mark Karr. Recently, he confessed to killing Jon Benet Ramsey, a young child whose death shocked America about ten years ago. He was a pedophile who claimed to love Jon Benet. After her murder he traveled the world teaching children. He spent time in Europe, Latin America and South-East Asia.

Days before his arrest, he successfully applied for a job. Beforehand, he worked for schools such as Bangkok Christian Academy. His confession occurred by chance. He was arrested on unrelated sex charges. Now Thailand government officials wish to reform the image of their country.

They must first institute changes in their education system. Many schools hire foreigners to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). Only a few academies do extensive background checks on potential employees. Since many schools lack money they're desperate to hire any foreigner regardless of their qualifications or criminal backgrounds. The owners place short term profits above the safety of their students.

Frank Moore, teacher and moderator of an expatriate website, described the prevailing environment. "The vast majority are here trying to help the kids, but some are here for sex, booze and drugs¡¦It's obvious to me that more than 80 percent of schools here don't do any background checks."

Mr. Moore explained the two types of teachers in Thailand. "Those who arrive specifically to teach on official work permits and others who are short term visitors on tourist visas." He noted that short term visitors pose the greatest threat.

Many foreign teachers come to Thailand to party and show little concern for their jobs. Some of them opened websites that critique Bangkok's nightlife. They rank the quality of whorehouses, offer tips on visiting Go-go bars and hold contests for the search of the best prostitute. Some hold chat forums to discuss their sexual exploits and debate the pros and cons of every strip club.

Sex tour operators have also benefited from Bangkok's debauchery. The Ft. Worth Star Telegram interviewed Gunter Frentz, proprietor of G.F. tours of more than 18 years, who shuttles men looking for sex in Bangkok at $3,000 for a ten day trip.

Mr. Frentz claimed he started G.F. Tours not intending to promote sex. "His travel business wasn't exactly booming in the beginning when he touted the culture, food and historic sites in countries such as Thailand."

Most sex addicts feel at home in Bangkok and few men could resist the temptations. Most people sleeps with a different partner every night and husbands who remain faithful to their wives are looked upon as objects of ridicule. Ironically, Thai culture frowns against sexual conversations so hypocrisy becomes the norm. A Thai man who appears straight-laced, spiritual and family oriented usually leads a double life. They're admired because he's not likely to reveal any secrets so Thai mistresses and prostitutes don't have to worry about confronting angry wives.

Living the life of a sex addict might be enjoyable for some but the consequences can be deadly. Thailand has a high rate of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, prostitutes are exploited and a few suffer from insanity as their obsession grabs a hold of them. Yes, there is a dark side to sex and it could be found in Bangkok.

This is cache, read story here