Vietnamese media outlets have claimed Thai women are hired as "rental wives" by retired Western men, particularly in tourist centres including Pattaya. However, the reports provide no official figures, named providers or evidence that such arrangements are a recognised or widespread practice in Thailand.
The claims appeared in Vietnamese newspaper Tien Phong, which cited Chinese outlets Sina and Sohu. According to the reports, foreign visitors may pay Thai women to act as guides, partners and, in many cases, sexual companions.
The term could cover very different situations, ranging from paid companionship and informal relationships to commercial sex work, with differing legal and personal consequences.
Reports link claims to Vietnam War period
Tien Phong traced the alleged practice to the Vietnam War, when US military personnel were stationed at air bases in Thailand. It said local intermediaries introduced Thai women to American servicemen for fees, while entertainment venues near the bases developed from serving drinks into arranging female companionship.
The newspaper claimed comparable arrangements later became associated with Pattaya and other destinations as more Western men retired in Thailand. It portrayed the women involved as mainly coming from lower-income families seeking better earnings.
It said such arrangements could run from a few days to one or two years. Foreign partners were generally said to pay for accommodation, food, entertainment and other costs, while some couples were eventually reported to have married legally.
Prices and scale unverified
Tien Phong cited prices of around 13,000 baht a day for arrangements of fewer than seven days, falling to 9,000 baht a day for longer bookings. It put the cost of a month-long arrangement at roughly 50,000 baht.
But it did not identify the Thai media outlets said to have supplied those figures, name any service providers or produce official data. Nor did it cite a national survey or government statistics showing the scale of the alleged arrangements.
The reports warned that women could face unintended pregnancies, abandonment and financial insecurity. They also said foreign men could lose money or property through fraudulent relationships.
Thai abortion law misstated
Tien Phong also incorrectly said abortion is illegal in Thailand, claiming many women are left with unwanted children.
Termination is permitted without conditions during the first 12 weeks, and between 12 and 20 weeks after counselling with an authorised medical professional.
Other grounds include health risks, severe foetal abnormalities and sexual assault.
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29 August 2026
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