Whities don't really "move" or "relocate" to Thailand. Especially to Bangkok. They "escape" or "find themselves" in that area. Meaning they are trying to leave something behind somewhere else by finding 24/7 distractions there in the form of different vices. Religion, drugs, sex, etc.. I can tell you that all the times I have been there, which is many, every time you see a white man with a tranny it is 95% that they are either Australians or British. You do not see many American men with trannies. Rent girls or rent boys, yes.. but not trannies.
Bangkok is not as bad as many make it out to be or have been mislead into believing. Yes, there are shady parts and bad people, but you can find those things no matter where you go. It is fairly safe overall and they have some of the most amazing shopping malls in Asia. There is a lot of natural beauty in design, architect, parks, etc.. to appreciate. It is very cost efficient and the USD goes a long way. You can have amazing meals in 5 star restaurants for 1/5 the cost you would pay for here. You can find amazing food for just a few dollars everywhere you go. Clean healthy food is readily available. You can have delicious food from street vendors for under $2. Or you can find a hamburger that costs $45 somewhere and every bite you take will make you think it is worth every penny.
If you follow a few simple rules, you won't have any problems there. I mean, nearly every single sign, menu, printed word is in English. Just follow some common sense and you are fine. Personally, I don't eat from street vendors hardly at all. And if I do, I skip the meat and instead just grab noodles or rice to hold me until I get something else later. I don't party in floor/street level bars. Actually, I don't party much at all there but since Halloween falls on the time of year that I go over each time I do go out to see the costumes and such. But I stick with roof top bars. Don't go into the sex show bars. Total rip off. If you want to see women that shoot ping pong balls, or billiard balls, or darts, or razor blades out their twats then just look it up online. You go there, they WILL attempt to shake you down and threaten to call the police if you don't pay the inflated bill. Trust me, it is ALWAYS inflated. But they will NOT call the police no matter what they claim. They will call their security guys which normally are 3 skinny ass guys who don't weigh 350lbs combined or some fat lard ass (that they have to go wake up first), but they won't call the police... don't want that scene outside the club where the barkers are trying to recruit more people to go inside.
The people are very respectful and appreciative. There is no reason you should not be too. If you do find yourself in trouble, it has been my observation that they are more than willing to work and let you go if you are apologetic and respectful, as long as there has been no property damage or injury/theft to anyone. That is just what I have seen from others doing dumb shit. Other than catching a warning in 2017 for climbing Ghost Tower, I haven't encountered the police any.
I can understand why people retire there when they are on a fixed income budget. Although if I were going to retire in Thailand it would be to Chaing Mai which is basically a smaller, cleaner version of Bangkok with a better geographical location (for my tastes). It still has everything from the various markets, shopping, night life and culture that Bangkok has. Just on a smaller, cleaner scale.
But if you go over there with dark intentions centering around drugs and shady indulgences, then you are going to find them. And before you know it, they are going to find you too.