This Country Offers ‘Wives for Rent’; State Duration and Payment of Lease Agreements

Last Update:29 November 2024 11:59 IST

This controversial new industry has become a major source of income, especially for young individuals trying to earn a living wage through traditional employment methods.

These women primarily encounter tourists in bars and nightclubs. (Agent/Shutterstock)

The concept of “marriage of pleasure” has recently sparked serious debate in Indonesia. Meanwhile, a growing trend in Thailand has attracted attention, especially regarding “rented wives”, sometimes referred to as “black pearls”. This practice has become so widespread that it was the subject of a recently published, much-discussed book.

The concept of a “rented wife” is controversial in Pattaya, Thailand. This temporary arrangement, often called “temporary marriage”, involves women, often from poor rural areas, accompanying foreign tourists. This practice is common in bars and nightclubs in Pattaya’s red light district.

The recently published book titled “Thai Taboo: The Rise of Wife Renting in Modern Society: Exploring Love, Commerce and Controversy in Thailand’s Wife Renting Phenomenon” by Lavert A Emmanuel explores the controversial practice of wife renting in Thailand. The book reveals how this historically present but hidden practice has been revived in modern Thai society.

This new and controversial industry has emerged as an important source of income, especially for young people trying to make a living through traditional employment. It revolves around services such as offering temporary companionship and affection for a fee. These arrangements function as informal agreements that last from a few days to a few months.

These women primarily encounter tourists in bars and nightclubs. Their roles vary; They serve as companions or informal tour guides.

How much is the rental price?

The length of time the woman will be kept under ‘lease’ depends on the contract. The money is determined according to the woman’s beauty, education and age. The amount can range from $1,600 to $116,000. In some cases where the relationship develops over time, some women eventually marry their clients or continue to earn money by acting as partners for a long time.

How to contact them?

The rented wife trend has taken the form of a business in Thailand. Foreign tourists visiting Pattaya and other cities in Thailand often come into direct contact with these women in places such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs. If there is mutual interest, a conversation is held to determine the terms of the friendship.

Are there any laws regulating this practice?

Although there are no official safeguards or rules governing these arrangements, the Thai government acknowledges that such a practice continues in the country and that there are no laws to control it.

The concept of “girlfriend for rent” or “wife for rent” is mainly inspired by countries such as Japan and South Korea, where such services are already popular. There are various social and economic reasons behind the growth of this business in Thailand.

Loneliness has increased in Thailand due to urbanization and difficult lifestyles. Busy lives often leave individuals with limited time to develop lasting relationships, leading some to seek temporary companionship.

Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination attracts large numbers of single foreign visitors looking for travel adventures and sharing experiences with local friends. Services such as “wife for rent” meet this demand.

Thailand’s cultural context embraces a more flexible approach to relationships and personal freedom. As a result, such services face fewer societal restrictions than in other countries.