And there are plenty of them!
Where does it all go wrong?
Isn’t it true that all these “Farangs” (foreigners) are seen as people with money to spend?
Even although young & good looking: These white skin boys always seem to have plenty of dough to spend.
Is life abroad so much better than living in Thailand?
Aren’t we all jealous?
Is that why Thais are using whitener cream?
To look a little more like this privileged “Übermensch” Caucasian race?
Would it not be a dream to marry one of those rich men, always funny and happy bunnies?
Well mannered, perfect English, stylish dressed, treating you like a Princess, staying in nice hotels, eating fancy dinners…
Wow, so much better than their Thai counterparts that are being lazy, rude, drinking, and gambling nobodies…
And off she goes. Falling for his charms, his impressive stories and smile.
He fell for her too and takes her back to his home country. Sort out a passport and visa stuff. Buy some warm clothes. Prepare her for her first trip abroad.
Her first time to leave behind her daily spicy green papaya salad (Som Tum).
Let the adventure begin! A dream comes true!
The wake-up call
Sadly, she flew back after 6-7 weeks of fake smiles.
The sudden climate change. The dramatic change of mood, lifestyle.
His house wasn’t quite the same as he described.
Why were neighbors staring at her? The language barrier. Isolated.
What to do all day? He didn’t seem to have much time to spend together.
Go to work early morning, while it was still dark and cold.
Dinner at 6 PM – followed by another movie on TV, sleep early.
The life of a lorry driver wasn’t as glamourous as he led her to believe.
Turns out he isn’t what he said he was.
A typical romance with a 2-week millionaire.
How could things turn so different, so quickly, so unexpected?
The truth is that the “prince on the white horse” had many dreams as well.
But never realized that living abroad, for someone used to her life in her home country, could be so difficult. Never realized that it is impossible to continue a similar lifestyle at home as during his annual fortnight vacay in Thailand.
Across the globe, guys have been saving up for that trip, marking off the days on the calendar to the big getaway. Two weeks of heaven, two weeks in paradise, and then back to the real world to repeat the cycle as when time and resources are available.
The 2-week millionaire.
As one of Pattaya’s leading and longest-standing realtors, we have seen quite a few of them as well.
“Tire kickers”, totally in love with their recently met Thai fiancée, looking at the fanciest pool-villas and luxury apartments you can imagine. What is your budget, Sir?
“I have no budget – If “we” like it, “we” buy it” …
And for sure, she is impressed.
And so are we if we would believe there are clients with “no budget”.
What is the current situation now during the COVID malaise?
The party-boppers are no longer there.
We are back to the long stayers. Of which quite a few of them live on a minimum budget, chasing the 99 Baht buster breakfast deals.
Those ones are immediately spotted by the working-class girls.
The farang clientele that doesn’t spend money on lady drinks and speak Thai a little bit too much.
Doom & gloom?
No, not really.
Luckily there are many foreigners remaining that do spend quite a bit into their lifestyle living the dream in Pattaya.
Will this be the end of the “2-week millionaire” era?
I don’t think so. Maybe not soon, but I hope to see them again rather sooner than later.
It brings life back into the scene.
And whitener?
Nah, keep the skin color you’re born with my dear Thai friends.
From our perspective the current state of Thailand, in general, is attractive.
Rents are cheap, entertainment is affordable, food and beverage are cheap and delicious.
Thailand is a great place, soon to recover from its current downturn.
For the (soon-) coming “2-week millionaires”:
If you consider changing your lifestyle for good, have a chat with us.
There are many ways you can exchange your drab, cold, and friendless country to a much more desirable place to live. But keep your head screwed on and don’t waste (and lose) your money on temptations.
Town & Country Property has near 20 years of experience, not just in the real estate scene here in Pattaya, but also on a social level.
Author: Mr. KC Cuijpers
For more information: Please contact Town & Country Property – [email protected]
