My experience is that humans, regardless of culture, have more in common than differences, but there will always be cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings or serious issues. This is true with dating and relationships in particular.
Most foreigners that come to Thailand on vacation or for business end up with girls in the bar scene. As a short time visitor to the Kingdom you don’t really have the best possibilities of meeting what we could call ‘mainstream’ Thai ladies.
Those that live in Thailand for longer periods of times such as expats, sometimes also have problems with meeting girls outside the expat bars and hangouts. Those that do, often meet their girlfriend or wives at work or on the internet.
There are major differences between these ‘mainstream’ ladies and those that frequent the bar and freelance scene. If you ever expect to get far with one of them you must know that they expect you to be faithfull, how to be polite and respectful of Thai culture. The reward for your efforts more than makes up for it. Thai ladies are incredibly warm, sweet and fun to be with.
There’s some things that are different from the west. When you are out in public with your date or even your girlfriend, you should be careful not to overdo physical contact. While handholding is ok, kissing in public is never. Take note of Thai couples if in doubt.
Meeting Thai Ladies
The dating scene is different in Thailand and the courtship process is more subtle. In Thailand, the guy is always expected to do the chase and the girls must play hard to get. Even so, this is not always the case, particularly if you are in a group of friends. Thai ladies are willing to work to get the man they want. Don’t be surprised to get A LOT of attention if you are decently dressed and groomed and otherwise friendly and sociable. It’s usually easier to meet Thai ladies when you are out with friends than to be alone. It takes the pressure a little of the interaction and is more fun. In Thai mainstream nightspots, such as those found on Ekamai, RCA and Ratchada, it’s quite normal for a male friend of the girls to introduce you and make contact if the girls are too shy, or even the waiting staff may do so playfully. Thai nightspots are not the best place to look for a girlfriend or a serious relationship if you are new in Thailand.
Another and good option is internet dating. It’s one of the few options where you can meet quality Thai ladies without being introduced. Many Thai women are a bit shy about dating foreigners and don’t want to go to clubs or bars. They feel more safe and bold online. You can chat and talk to thai women before coming to Thailand and get to know them and their lives before you arrive. Many guys have met their girlfriends or wives this way and it usually works out better than meeting women in bars. If you are looking for a serious relationship or marriage you are best of with a site like Thai Love Lines (see review) which has many members and is the place to meet girls interested in long term relationships. If you are just looking to make friends and have a bit of fun, you can try some of the other sites such as ThailandFriends which is more of a community. There seems to be a new dating site popping up everyday, but those to are the most popular.
There’s also the option of meeting girls that work in the commercial field such as sales ladies in malls and shops. They usually get hit on a lot, particularly in expat and tourist areas, so watch out for those that take long to reply if you sms or call them. They may be seeing several other guys at the same time.
