Tue, May 16, 2006 

Rent-a-sob

Kevin Brown

People with no friends, rejoice. A Thai company has launched a new rent-a-mourner service.

The firm will provide people to wail, sob and generally gnash their teeth at your funeral.

There's also hope for fledgling musicians thanks to the revolutionary new 'screaming fan' service.

The poor saps will turn up at your show, jump about, scream and generally look pre-orgasmic as you trot out 40 minutes of sub-Oasis mediocrity.

Or something.

Based in a Bangkok call centre, the initiative even has staff on hand to take part in arguments on demand.

The company called 108-1900 - which translates into 'anything you can think of' – was set up by Viriya Likitvong to help friends who had lost their jobs.

He said: "We visited a small restaurant which could cook to any order its customer might place.

"I came up with the idea of starting a business, in which we would try to carry out any instructions which our customers might have, as long as they were not illegal."

According to The Bangkok Post, fees vary. However, it costs 1,000 baht (£16) to have someone's face slapped or 500 baht (£8) to hire someone to scream at concerts.

Hear’Say take note.