But I need more than this. It's only natural. For Preecha, it began as a casual fling with one of his secretaries. We started having an affair. Then I decided I should support her.
Many men begin with common-law unions.
Thai society still frowns on unmarried people living together. It implies a formal relationship, which keeps the woman happy. But commitment is often fleeting and, for some men, the next step is to get a minor wife. Fear of AIDS, ironically, seems to have added to the appeal of a mia noi. For many Thais with extra money in their pockets, a minor wife is next on the wish-list after a new car.