03.09.2026 13:41
With the increase in the number of people living alone in Thailand, the service of 'renting a friend' for an hourly fee is becoming widespread. People who accompany clients from travel to shopping, from sports to cafe visits can earn around 1,500 THB per hour. The proportion of single-person households in the country has reached 29.5 percent.
Changing lifestyles in Thailand have created a remarkable income opportunity. In the "friend-for-hire" service, which is becoming widespread in the country, individuals can rent someone to accompany them for a certain period of time.
The system is based on social friendship and companionship rather than a romantic or sexual service. Service providers can travel with their clients, go shopping, visit cafes or spas, exercise at the gym, and participate in rock climbing. Those who want someone to take their photos on vacation can also benefit from this service.
APPROXIMATELY 1500 TL PER HOUR
According to reports in the foreign press, the cost of the service varies depending on the activity and the person. Some individuals charge 1,000 baht per hour for the friendship service. This amount corresponds to approximately 1465 TL at the current exchange rate. In the news text, it can be used as 1500 TL as a rounded figure.
Service providers accompany their clients in activities such as running, aerobics, shopping, spa visits, cafe trips, gym sessions, and indoor rock climbing, depending on the clients' demands.
EVEN A FRIEND TO TAKE YOUR PHOTOS ON VACATION CAN BE RENTED
One of the areas of use for the "rent-a-friend" service is travel. Individuals who do not want to go on vacation alone can rent someone to accompany them. The rented friend can accompany the client throughout the trip and also take vacation photos.
APPROXIMATELY 3 OUT OF EVERY 10 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SINGLE-PERSON
Behind this new business model lies the rise in the rate of solitary living in the country. According to data, in 2025, 29.5 percent of households in Thailand will consist of single-person households, while the world average remains at 21.9 percent.
With the aging population, fewer people getting married, and the spread of solitary living, people's ways of socializing are also changing. The system of renting a friend for an hourly fee stands out as one of the new income models emerging from this change.