I think the baths did suffer hugely in the light of AIDS, but that trend has been reversed and a younger crowd are making them a regular destination in many cities in America. I don't think the fears from AIDS were ever that big a deal in Canada, Europe or South America, in terms of keeping the crowd out. I can't speak for Asia, though I noticed an update approved just this past week in our Sex Listings about a 100 man orgy being a regular thing at some place in Seoul.
When you discuss the best baths, it can mean many things: best facilities? best crowd? best fuck I've ever had? Men can leave a dive after having a hot orgy with 4 men hung like horses and suddenly that dive is heavenly. Some years ago we asked for input on the best baths. Here is the link to that thread:
Best Bathhouse