Just got back from vacation in Thailand and I absolutely LOVE it in part because it is so different from Qatar! It's green and the people in the service industry are wonderful and it is SO cheap. Qatar is amazingly expensive, too hot to be outdoors six months of the year and the service is spotty, at best. But it doesn't have the constantly annoying scams and corruption of Thailand. If you have a chance, come for a visit before making a decision.
Mandi