Where does it all go wrong? Isn’t it true that many “Farangs” (foreigners) are seen as people with money to burn? Even the young and good‑looking ones — the white‑skinned boys who always seem to have plenty of cash.
Is life abroad really so much better than living in Thailand? Is that why some Thais use whitener cream — to look a little more like this “privileged” Caucasian ideal? Wouldn’t it be a dream to marry one of those rich men: well‑mannered, stylish, speaking perfect English, treating you like a princess, staying in nice hotels, eating fancy dinners…
Neighbours stared. The language barrier was isolating. He worked long hours, leaving early in the dark and returning to quiet dinners and early nights. The “glamorous” life of a lorry driver wasn’t what she imagined.
Across the globe, men save all year for that trip — two weeks of heaven, then back to reality. In Pattaya, we’ve met plenty of these “2‑week millionaires” in our years in pattaya real estate.
They arrive with their new fiancée, touring the most luxurious pool villas and penthouses. “No budget,” they say — until reality sets in.
The Fairytale Start
And off she goes — falling for his charm, his stories, his smile. He falls for her too, takes her back to his home country. Passport and visa sorted, warm clothes bought, ready for her first trip abroad. She leaves behind her daily spicy green papaya salad (Som Tum) for what she thinks will be a dream come true.
The Wake‑Up Call
Six or seven weeks later, she’s back — the smiles were fake. The climate was cold, the mood colder. His house wasn’t as described. Neighbours stared. The language barrier was isolating. He worked long hours, leaving early in the dark and returning to quiet dinners and early nights. The “glamorous” life of a lorry driver wasn’t what she imagined.
Neighbours stared. The language barrier was isolating. He worked long hours, leaving early in the dark and returning to quiet dinners and early nights. The “glamorous” life of a lorry driver wasn’t what she imagined.
The 2‑Week Millionaire
It’s a familiar story. The “prince on the white horse” had his own dreams, but never realised how hard it would be for her to adapt — or that the lifestyle of his annual two‑week holiday in Thailand couldn’t be replicated back home.
Across the globe, men save all year for that trip — two weeks of heaven, then back to reality. In Pattaya, we’ve met plenty of these “2‑week millionaires” in our years in pattaya real estate.
They arrive with their new fiancée, touring the most luxurious pool villas and penthouses. “No budget,” they say — until reality sets in.
From Party‑Boppers to Long Stayers
During the COVID slowdown, the party crowd disappeared. Pattaya shifted back to long‑term residents — some living on tight budgets, chasing 99‑Baht breakfast deals, speaking Thai a little too fluently for the working girls’ liking. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Many foreigners still spend well and live the dream in pattaya neighbourhoods.
Will the 2‑Week Millionaire Return?
I think so. Maybe not immediately, but they’ll be back — bringing life, energy, and money into the scene. From our perspective, Thailand remains attractive: cheap rents, affordable entertainment, delicious food and drink. The country will recover, and the cycle will continue.Related Reading
- — separating myth from reality.
- — why the city remains a magnet for investment.
- — a personal take on the lifestyle.
