Spaldy, I know what you are saying about the hand outs but it certainly isnt true of all the sellers. Some of the sellers I have known since they were small children, I have never given them hand outs and they know better than to ask. I used to buy them food and maybe a pair of jeans or a t shirt etc. They took me home (a tarpaulin covered shack in those days) to meet their parents, it was a very humbling experience,I was treated as a honoured guest with a special meal prepared. They are grown up now with families of their own, nothing has changed I am still welcomed in exactly the same way. I have been invited to all their weddings and family celebrations. I do consider them good friends - I'm not daft enough to think I am their only friend - but my life has been richer for having known them.
The owners of the guest house I use are a lovely Goan family who can't do enough for you, the only extras they get is a tin of quality street every year.
I have only been to Thailand once, Hua Hin, I enjoyed the sight seeing, temples etc. The beach was OK, nothing special, the hotel was lovely and not expensive. What I didnt like was the 'seedy' side of it, middle aged and elderly white males walking around with little teenage Thai girls hanging on their arm, the sex shops with prostitutes openly plying their trade, you will no doubt say that its the same in Goa, it may be, but I have never seen similar on the beach or the High St in Candolim.
Each to their own I say, Goa is and always will be special for me. I am sorry that we seem to be being treated as second class citizens but when I step off the plane I still feel as if I have come home.

What I didnt like was the 'seedy' side of it, middle aged and elderly white males walking around with little teenage Thai girls hanging on their arm, the sex shops with prostitutes openly plying their trade, you will no doubt say that its the same in Goa.

Yes I agree you can see all this in Thailand openly. But outside Goa there are many horrific and degrading acts being carried out on women in India. Also, I have been propositioned in Baga asking if I wanted the services of very young girls... it does happen in Goa.

Ive no doubt it happens all over the world Neil, I'd just rather not be meeting it on every street corner whilst trying to enjoy my 3 weeks of sun, sea and sand. Again, each to their own, it wouldn't bother a lot of people but is just not for me.

I find it more offensive being treated as a 'second class citizen'.

Thats just the point Neil, I don't feel I'm treated as a second class citizen by the people who matter to me - the actual people who I consider friends. I obviously am not happy with the 2mth visa rule or the stupid comments made by the tourist minister (there again there are lots of things I don't like about this government).
I enjoy my time in Goa, a couple of years ago I had a pretty rubbish holiday there, mainly due the choice of hotel and wondered whether I should go back. I obviously did, rented an apartment in a quieter area and fell for the place all over again.
I do feel very sorry for how the ex pats are being treated but me choosing it as my holiday destination or not will make no difference to them.
At the end of the day its everyone's personal choice, we are all looking for different things from a holiday, these days I just like to relax and take things easy. I don't get ripped off, I pay what I consider to be a fair price,that goes for all including the taxis, I tell them where I want to go, what I am prepared to pay etc, take it or leave it - they take it

Neil. you left an important part out of the quote, as I said I have no doubt the same things go on, its one of the oldest trades in the world. I can't deny or confirm it happens in Goa, as for rest of India havent been there so don't know
I do know that in Thailand that the sex trade is readily and easily available,

Must admit I have never felt like a second class citizen anywhere other than a very expensive hotel in Jersey where a group of us were asked to leave the hotel "boutique shop" because there were some genuine customers coming in who wouldn't want us there at the same time. We were staying there too ! Charming !
The sex trade is everywhere, even happens where we all live no doubt. It's not in your face as it is apparently in Thailand although Amsterdam I'm sure will give them a run for their money and in Holland you can buy wacky baccy without being jailed too.
If you want a different slant on it try the Gambia. Instead of sleazy men with delightful looking young girls, it's sad old ladies with handsome, fit athletic blokes. All men should go to see how a woman must feel about prostitution.
If we go to Thailand, and it's been on my agenda a while , it's nothing to do with Goa, although my recent Goan experience helps push us in that direction. What experience was that ? The Thai Oriental in Calangute !! Reminded me how much I love Thai food !