Would point out there's plenty of houses in Thailand selling for 1-2Mbht, that's $30,000-$60,000US.
Not sure why you think the average expat would blow 10Mbht on a house in someone else's name, in a country they have no right to live in.
This is a strange forum where everyone is rich, has big houses, young wives that love them for themselves, never pay for sex, were all educated and successful businessmen. Reality is, I've rarely met any foreigners that managed better than finishing high school, or worked in better jobs than postman/painter/locksmith/insurance salesmen, or live in anything better than a cheap one room condo.
One question I do ask myself ....... all you guys that never pay for sex, don't take drugs, don't smoke, don't go to bars, don't drink alcohol ......... why are you all living in Pattaya?