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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No official figures, no named providers, no evidence it’s widespread… but apparently they’ve got the daily rental rates nailed down. 😂

13,000 baht a day? Bloody hell. At that price I’d expect her to come with roadside assistance, annual servicing and a full tank. 😂

At Bht 50 000 a month all expenses paid, there would be thousands line-up offering their services.

Edited August 28Aug 28 by Artisi

Funny that the comments aren't that it's incorrect but that it doesn't cost that much.

So they are suggesting some Thai women enter into relationships for money?

I wonder how many Viet women marry broke and homeless men!

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

At Bht 50 000 a month all expenses paid, there would be thousands line-up offering their services.

Mine would likely be off in a heartbeat!

ok a new name for the same... from hostess to rental wife..And it is very expensive too.. 13k a day.. Better hire them for 1 hour.

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

So they are suggesting some Thai women enter into relationships for money?

I wonder how many Viet women marry broke and homeless men!

Zero will marry them but if you're broke and a dick then they won't charge you to rent them for the night. That goes for everywhere obviously

13,000 baht a day for arrangements of fewer than seven days, falling to 9,000 baht a day for longer bookings.

Hell, a woman working at 7-11 Full time earns about 13,000 a month...

At these prices, it would be cheaper to hire a top GoGo girl from Walking Street full-time....

No girls get this kind of allowance in Thailand...ZERO....

And to top it off all Vietnamese girls are as pure as the driven snow...Right?

Edited August 28Aug 28 by redwood1

My favorite Vietnamese girl was in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) except the actress who played her was Thai.

44 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Hell, a woman working at 7-11 Full time earns about 13,000 a month...

Anyone know what those young women earn that are cleaning the toilets at PTT Blue?

13 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

Anyone know what those young women earn that are cleaning the toilets at PTT Blue?

Pretty much the same as working for 7-11. A little higher in large cities than rural areas.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by fredwiggy

Bt.7600.00 will get you a monthly rental in Vietnam.

https://baonghean.vn/en/dich-vu-thue-vo-gia-tram-trieu-van-chay-hang-vao-mua-cuoi-10058914.html

17 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Bt.7600.00 will get you a monthly rental in Vietnam.

https://baonghean.vn/en/dich-vu-thue-vo-gia-tram-trieu-van-chay-hang-vao-mua-cuoi-10058914.html

Can't see that price and seems not quite a full service arrangement;

"While called "renting a wife," the client's contract clearly stipulates prohibited actions such as: unauthorized physical or mental assault, holding hands, hugging, kissing, or having sexual relations with the "wife.""

AKA marriage... just a bit shorter

Question is more like , why are Vietnamese "media outlets" trying to smear

Thailand for things they do themselves.

A rather silly article no doubt promoted by the communist media organ. I would refer to the article as Fake Viet Puritanism. I'm sure similar situations are available in Vietnam though mixed couples are considerably less prevalent there, and when I was there they were frowned upon.

One can make an argument that many situations around the world amount to rental wives. Try finding a woman anywhere in the world without any sort of money or financial security. The difference is in America it's $8,000 a month here it's closer to 20,000 baht a month. Plus expenses.

I guess these figures are just a conversion from the Vietnamese wife rental prices.

Renting is always best in SE Asia, or quite frankly anywhere.

Why by the cow when you can get the milk for free (in theory).

Many Asian woman go with foreigners to supplement their income. In all asian countries including Vietnam.

The fiqures quoted show a complete lack of research.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

It put the cost of a month-long arrangement at roughly 50,000 baht.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The reports warned that women could face financial insecurity.

Not at that rate...

5 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

Why by the cow when you can get the milk for free (in theory).

The camera was worth more than her.

4 hours ago, Nemises said:

No official figures, no named providers, no evidence it’s widespread… but apparently they’ve got the daily rental rates nailed down. 😂

13,000 baht a day? Bloody hell. At that price I’d expect her to come with roadside assistance, annual servicing and a full tank. 😂

Lol after a night working in a bar she is sure to have a full tank

That explains all the katoeys, good work if you can find it ...

5 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Many Asian woman go with foreigners to supplement their income. In all asian countries including Vietnam.

The fiqures quoted show a complete lack of research.

I don’t contribute to charity but I do contribute to the socioeconomic welfare of SE Asian women.

It’s the least I can do to avoid being the richest guy in the cemetery.

34 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Can't see that price and seems not quite a full service arrangement;

how baths do you think 60 million dongs are ?

I don't know about the prevalence of the "rent a wife" thing, but I've seen older men in wheelchairs being pushed around by what appear to be caregivers. There must surely be established market prices for such services.

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46 minutes ago, hellohello123 said:

AKA marriage... just a bit shorter

I hate to say it- but that was exactly my thoughts- and when you factor in the average cost of an English divorce, including a 50% share of all your assets going to your wife if the marriage is not a short marriage, it is probably cheaper to rent!

That old expression comes to mind "If it flies floats or f**ks then rent it!"

Sorry for my cynicism, but 35 years of handling, inter alia, divorces makes me very cynical indeed about relationships generally

That's a very pragmatic way of looking at it. What appears to be the problem?