I'm not sure you long you have lived here or if you are a Buddhist or not.
I am Thai, not a Buddhist, but spent time in Suan Mokh, the temple of a revered monk, Aj Buddhadassa Bikhu, and assure you they are the pure form of Therevadn Buddhism. I've also spent time in McLeoad Ganj, studying Tibetan Buddhism, where I met HH Dalia Lama.
I suspect you have been exposed to Chinese Thais, or perhaps gold-digging women ????