A large number of Thai students are becoming mistresses as an alternative to taking out student loans to pay for their education, according to a study.

The study of female students at the privately run Bangkok University, carried out by the Rajabhat Institute's Suan Dusit Campus, found that they tended to target middle-income state officials, office workers, or entrepreneurs to become their lovers. The students can make up to 50,000 baht (?800) a month.

Nong, a 22-year-old student at Bangkok University, said she decided to look for a "sugar daddy" after her family's business collapsed. Nong's new boyfriend gives her up to 50,000 baht a month. He has also plied her with presents, including a mobile phone and a 400,000 baht fully furnished condominium.

Nong said this was more profitable than taking out a student loan. "I get more money. With an educational loan I only get a very small monthly income.

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"Besides, not all loan applications are approved and even if they are, the amount is usually not enough to meet the needs of most students."

Within her circle of ten friends at university, Nong said that at least seven were mistresses.

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Sukhum Chaleoysap, deputy rector of the campus, said those women not lucky enough to find one wealthy man to support them often ended up conducting several relationships simultaneously.