How to Impress a Bangkok Woman on a First Date

Dating Expectations

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a different country. Dating always comes with expectations.

In Bangkok, Thailand, women are more reserved when it comes to dating. They are not used to public displays of affection because it makes them feel uncomfortable or shy. So don’t set the bar too high and don’t expect a kiss on the first date.

If your date seems like she wants to keep her distance, don’t get offended right away. Most women might not be used to or have never tried dating a foreigner, so they may be conscious around one.

Give your date time to feel comfortable. You can always make her laugh or share a short anecdote to get a conversation going. Once she sees you’re a decent guy, she’ll warm up to you.

Your date may also surprise you with how polite she is. Thai ladies value courtesy and respect. Sometimes they become too polite, which makes them feel a little tense or pressured. When this happens, you can try lightening up the mood or cracking a few jokes here and there to have a casual and safe atmosphere for her to feel comfortable.

Traditional Customs

Some traditional practices are still being observed in Bangkok despite the influence of modern dating. When you start dating a Bangkok woman, know that she may be dating with marriage in mind.

Casual relationships are not uncommon, but most Thai women who take on the challenge of dating a foreigner usually have more meaningful reasons for doing so. One of which is that they are interested in building a life for their future family.

These ladies are commonly referred to as “traditional,” mainly because they look at the basic family unit as a life goal and achievement. If they can marry a good and loving husband and raise a family of their own, life for them has been fulfilled.

So, in a way, these “traditional” women find happiness in knowing they have a partner with whom they can share their lives and build a family.

In Thai culture, men are seen as providers of the family, so when you get into a serious relationship with a Bangkok woman, she may introduce you to her family. When it comes to that, being financially stable will need to be a priority.

This is their way of assessing whether or not you’re ready for the responsibilities that come with being in a serious long-term relationship, and possibly getting married in the future.

Societal Judgment

Have you ever heard of the word farang? Farang refers to foreigners visiting Thailand. It’s not an offensive word, but that depends on how locals use it and how foreigners interpret it.

Dating in Bangkok as a foreigner has its pros and cons, but one thing that is likely to happen is getting looked at a certain way, or worse, being judged. Some locals will assume that you’re dating Thai women for all the wrong reasons, and vice versa.

This is a common occurrence in third-world countries because of existing stereotypes. It’s perceived that foreigners, especially those from the United States, are powerful and rich compared to Thai locals.

While you might be judged for being a foreigner, it shouldn’t discourage you from falling in love with a Thai woman from Bangkok.

Try speaking to her in Thai.

It’ll definitely surprise her and lighten up any tension in the air. It can also be a good ice breaker or conversation starter. You don’t have to speak entirely in Thai, but greeting her with basic phrases like “Sa wat dee khrap,” which means Hello, and complimenting her with a simple “Khun suay maak,” which means You’re very pretty, will surely impress her.

This can serve as a memorable impression, and she’ll greatly appreciate the effort and research you did by trying to speak Thai. She might even help you with the pronunciation.

If you find yourself struggling to pronounce certain words, you and your Thai woman can laugh it off and enjoy your date.

Dress to impress.

It’s not new to dress well for a first date, but with Bangkok being a social hub for Thai people, it’s expected to glam up for any occasion. They love looking after their appearances because it leaves a good impression overall.

You don’t have to wear the most expensive tuxedo or luxurious clothing. Dressing smart and clean will already do the job. Pay attention to grooming yourself, like making sure you smell good, having a clean haircut and shave, and having fresh breath and clean teeth.

Get the basics covered and you’re good to go.

Shower her with compliments.

Be genuine, not too superficial. Always compliment her the right way and don’t go overboard. She might feel overwhelmed.

You can start with simple compliments about her appearance like, “You’re very beautiful” or “I love your smile.” You can also compliment her on her achievements or the goals she plans to pursue.

As long as you’re not making her feel uncomfortable, genuinely complimenting her will do the trick.

Give her a thoughtful gift.

Women generally love gifts. You can go with the usual bouquet of flowers, a single rose, a box of chocolates, etc. However, it’s best to not be extravagant with your gifts to avoid setting the precedent that you can afford to buy one expensive gift after another. It might give your date the wrong idea, so it’s not worth the risk.

Luxurious gifts would be good if you’re an official couple.

Have dinner at a restaurant that has her favorite food.

This might be considered cheating, but asking her what her favorite food is can help you choose the restaurant you’ll be taking her to on your date. You can casually ask her through text or chat. Of course you’ll be having some mode of communication before you meet for the date. So give it a try.

You can also opt to bring her somewhere comfortable or familiar for a more intimate connection. It’s a big plus if the restaurant has her favorite food on the menu.

The effort will be well worth it. You might even laugh about it once she sees that you were thoughtful enough to take her somewhere you know she’ll enjoy.

Do something fun together.

It can be before or after your dinner. Even if you have an activity or event in mind, be prepared in case it doesn’t go as planned. Think of this as another bonus so you can get to know each other better.

Stick to something simple but enjoyable. You don’t want to tire her out on your first date.

You can go to a carnival, have a stroll in the park, visit a night market, and so on. Whatever you decide to do or end up doing during your date, it will also serve as a good conversation topic on your next date.

Of course, plan for your next date.

This is assuming everything went well and you can tell that she would be interested in going out with you on a second date. Even if you’re not too sure, it won’t hurt to ask her anyway.

The more dates you go on, the stronger the connection you’ll make. If you’re intent on being in a serious relationship with her, you’ll need to make an effort to win her over.

Like with everything else in life, it will take time. You want her to feel cared for and appreciated, so take it slow and make every date count.