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But most can't afford to hand over a big chunk of money to pay for the home of their dreams in cash, so they apply for a mortgage.

However, it is not very easy to get a mortgage. And once you get such a home loan, it becomes difficult to escape from debt.

Not so a young couple in

the American state of Missouri.

Lend America, a mortgage bank, will create its own moment of reality TV on Tuesday when it gives $250,000 (Bt7.99 million) to a Missouri couple to pay off their mortgage, according to the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service.

The company will award the prize at a news conference as part of its Home Free Mortgage Giveaway.

People who phoned in during a year-long cable-TV campaign related to buying a home, refinancing or consolidating debt were entered in a draw, said Lisa Mirabile, owner of a marketing and advertisement agency representing Lend America.

Amanda Michno, 25, and her husband, Wesley, 30, won the contest and will receive the first $10,000 on Tuesday. They will receive the same amount monthly over the next two years.

"Emotionally speaking, there is no more satisfying feeling than knowing that you just helped a family realise a dream," said Lend America vice president Michael Ashley.

The couple own a three-bedroom home in suburban St Louis that they were in danger of losing because Wesley Michno lost a construction job and the family fell behind in their payments after their adjustable-rate mortgage payments nearly doubled.

They plan to use their winnings to pay off the $80,000 owed on the house and put away money for their three children.

There is nothing similar to this in Thailand, although some Thai TV shows offer home giveaways.

Others offer to pay off small amounts of debt, but the amount is usually less than Bt100,000.

So, are there any Thai TV programmes interested in following the US example?