This Country Offers 'Wives On Rent'; Rental Contracts State Duration And Payment

Last Updated:November 29, 2024, 11:59 IST

This controversial new industry has become a key income source, especially for young individuals struggling to secure a living wage through conventional employment methods

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

The concept of “pleasure marriage" has sparked considerable debate in Indonesia recently. Meanwhile, a growing trend in Thailand, particularly concerning “rental wives" – sometimes referred to as “black pearls" – has garnered significant attention. This practice has become so prevalent that it was the subject of a widely discussed book recently published.

The concept of a “wife on hire" is controversial in Thailand’s Pattaya. This temporary arrangement, often called a “temporary marriage", typically involves women from impoverished rural areas becoming companions to foreign tourists. This practice is prevalent in the bars and nightclubs of Pattaya’s red-light district.

A recently published book titled “Thai Taboo: The Rise of Wife Rental in Modern Society: Exploring Love, Commerce, and Controversy in Thailand’s Wife Rental Phenomenon", authored by Lavert A Emmanuel, explores the controversial practice of wife rental in Thailand. The book reveals how this practice, historically present yet concealed, is experiencing a resurgence in modern Thai society.

This new and controversial industry has emerged as a significant source of income, particularly for young people struggling to earn a living wage through traditional employment. It revolves around services like offering temporary companionship and affection for a fee. These arrangements function as informal agreements lasting from a few days to several months.

These women primarily encounter tourists in bars and nightclubs. Their roles vary, encompassing companionship or acting as informal tour guides.

What is the price of a rental wife

The time duration of keeping a wife on ‘rent’ depends on the contract. The money is decided based on the woman’s beauty, education and age. The amount can range from $1,600 to $116,000. At times, when the relationship develops over time, some women eventually marry their clients or keep earning money by acting as their partner for a long time.

How are they contacted?

The rental wife trend has taken the form of a business in Thailand. Foreign tourists visiting Pattaya and other Thai cities often contact these women directly at venues such as bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. If there is mutual interest, a conversation then takes place to determine the terms of the companionship.

Is there any law regulating this practice?

Although there are no formal protections or rules governing these arrangements, the government of Thailand accepts that such a practice is going on in the country and there are no laws to control it.

The concept of “rental girlfriend" or “rental wife" is mainly inspired by countries like Japan and South Korea, where such services have already been popular. There are several social and economic reasons behind the growth of this business in Thailand.

Loneliness has risen in Thailand, driven by urbanisation and demanding lifestyles. Busy lives often leave individuals with limited time for cultivating lasting relationships, leading some to seek temporary companionship.

Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination attracts numerous single foreign visitors seeking travel adventures and shared experiences with local companions. Services like “rental wife" cater to this demand.

Thailand’s cultural context embraces a more flexible approach to relationships and personal freedom. Consequently, such services encounter fewer societal constraints compared to other countries.

Thailand

News world This Country Offers 'Wives On Rent'; Rental Contracts State Duration And Payment