I just bought a flight in June to Bangkok for $580 total
What to tell people? Depends on who...I assume friends and not a wife, which would be difficult or impossible to explain a long absence. In any case, don't overthink, tell either the truth or Lie and stick with it.
Contrary to belief, many people go there just for food, culture, party, temples, backpacking, drinking beaches, and not just for sex. There are tons of hippies and backpackers there not for sex.
Sometimes i tell some frind I just went to the stopover destination. I have a 6 hr layover in Japan so I'll just say I'm going there, which is also true.