Since you asked, it's tacky, polluted, crowded and full of creepy sex tourists.
In fairness, my visit was pre-covid, it may have changed?
I personally found it awful and wouldn't dream of taking my young kids there. There are so many nicer places in this world to visit. If the only drawcard is food, there's plenty of places with fantastic food. Singapore hawker markets, nearly any Izakaya in Japan, Korea, Taiwan...
There are reasons a place is cheaper.
Really? Full of sex tourists?
Do you go there often? Just a few points which may not be relevant to everyone
- has the best night-life in Thailand
- has the best street food in Thailand
- has the cheapest (and best variety, quality) Western food in Thailand
- has the best organised golf in Thailand
I've been to coughet, Pattaya, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai. There's a sex scene in all of them. These are also full of "sleazy" people as you call them.
I have a feeling though that a few dumb stories of paedophiles have altered your opinion of what is a wonderful holiday destination.
These "sleazy" people are human beings. That they are 50+, 60+, 70+ or whatever and choose to spend time with Thai ladies does not make them sleazy. Even if they go with multiple Thai ladies does not make them sleazy. They are normal people. I've played golf with them. I've had a drink with them. People don't listen to their stories, their heartbreak, before passing judgement.
By the way a man going to Thailand for 2 weeks and picking up 4-5 bar girls is sleazy right? But a young man or young girl at university in Brisbane getting drunk and going out all night to Fortitude Valley night clubs doing drugs and having casual sex is acceptable right?
For what it's worth Thai ladies do not consider what they're doing is sleazy. They're doing it because they are not educated and have a need for money. The majority of them have had kids while in school and no education. Many of them have been raped by brothers friends, relatives or others in village.
Let's not judge what people do without fully understanding.
Pattaya is by far the best holiday destination in Thailand. If you want to take your family elsewhere that is fine. My Thai wife and daughter both love Pattaya.