Actually, I think you may be right about Thailand; we used to get tourists who’d come up from the south, and think it was entirely appropriate to wander around the city, clad only in their bikinis.

Northern Thailand is far more modest and conservative than the southern islands, and barely-clad bodies (male and female) make people really uncomfortable. Some cafés and restaurants actually refuse to serve people when they’re dressed like that, and I don’t blame them.

Actually, two of the worst examples of behaviour from tourists I saw in Chiang Mai were a couple of drunk guys trying to poke lighted cigarettes into the rear ends of some lion statues in a temple, making jokes about butts (seriously, these guys looked like they were in their thirties), and three couples, who decided that the seating area outside the bridal shop on my road was an appropriate place to sit down, smoke weed, and drink loads of beer.

Conversely, I never once saw any bad behaviour from tourists when I lived in India. I suspect that part of the reason is that – at least where I was in Kerala – alcohol is strictly controlled, there is no party culture there, and people were just more respectful. There was a broader range of ages too. Also, it’s far less Westernised than Thailand, so you may be onto something re. adventurous spirits; as a Westerner, living in Thailand was easier than living in India (which in turn, was easier than living in Morocco!).

By the way, I had a layover at Mumbai airport once – going through security was an experience I never wish to repeat. Not because of the staff – it was the other passengers! Males and females were separated into their own queues, and I soon understood why; while the men calmly queued, and waited their turn, the women behaved like piranhas in a feeding frenzy. I felt so sorry for the two stressed-out guys manning the luggage scanner, especially when several women decided that they would reach inside to retrieve their bags. They were insane! Never, ever mess with Indian women!

what a great experience. I would love to live there. On this same trip, I also spent a few days in Mumbai and I absolutely loved it and the food. I was lucky enough to have a local Mumbaite born and bred friend who was my guide and new where all the best street cart vendors were.
I think India is a different kind of tourist. Thailand has become so popular that it’s practically a required stop if you go to Asia and people mostly go there for the beaches. India I think takes a more adventurous spirit.