I'm pretty sure the poor people in major cities in the US eat mice too. The difference is poverty isn't a "problem to be fixed" in Thailand like it is here. In Thailand poverty is just life for the vast majority of it's residents. But that doesn't mean they aren't warm, friendly people with a rich culture. And the landscapes...omg. 2 weeks scuba diving in pristine bays and a private hut right off the beach that hangs out over the water is cheaper than it would cost me to fill my car with gas. I realize travelling isn't for everyone, but that's no reason to knock a place. If you don't mind travelling, I don't see how you could not love Thailand.