Thailand has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign tourists and expats looking for adventure, cultural experiences, and even romance. While meeting people organically is always an option, dating apps and websites provide a convenient way for foreigners to connect with locals and potentially find meaningful relationships.
The top dating apps and websites for foreigners seeking to date in Thailand are ThaiCupid and ThaiFriendly. These platforms boast a substantial number of Thai women and are specifically designed to help them connect with foreign boyfriends. Additional options include Tinder, Bumble, and Badoo. However, it’s important to note that on Tinder and Bumble, there is a significant presence of ladyboys.
I have had the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time in Thailand and have utilized the range of apps mentioned in this article to connect with stunning Thai women. My travels have taken me to various locations across Thailand, including bustling cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, as well as the more rural areas of Isan such as Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai. In short, I think Thailand is amazing because of its stunning landscapes, its kind and friendly people, and its gorgeous women.
This guide will highlight in-depth the top dating apps and websites used by foreigners looking to meet Thai women and men while in Thailand. It covers the key features and functionality of each platform, whether they are free or paid services, and what makes them useful in the Thai dating marketplace. The goal is to provide an overview of the most effective tools for dating and expanding social circles in Thailand as a foreigner.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide To Dating In Thailand For Foreigners
#1 – ThaiFriendly
ThaiFriendly is one of the most popular dating apps in Thailand for meeting local Thai women and girls. Some key things to know about ThaiFriendly:
Features Overview
- ThaiFriendly is free to download and create a basic profile, but you need a paid subscription for full functionality like messaging users.
- To use for free you have to wait 10 minutes between each message that you send
- It has mobile apps for iOS and Android, in addition to the website.
- Features include matchmaking, search filters, video chat, and verified profiles.
- ThaiFriendly offers photo privacy controls and translation features to bridge language barriers.
User Base
- The user base is primarily Thai women looking to meet foreign men. There are over 1.5 million active female users.
- Most male users are Western expats and tourists visiting Thailand. Signups are free for men.
- Users are generally young adults to middle-aged. There are more women from Bangkok and tourist areas.
Also see: The 7 Best Cities To Meet Good Thai Women In Thailand
Reputation
- ThaiFriendly has been around since 2003, so it has an established reputation in Thailand and SE Asia expat circles.
- It’s considered more legitimate and high-quality compared to casual dating apps like Tinder.
- However, some users caution about potential scams or “bar girls” looking for money. Using common sense is advised.
- Overall, ThaiFriendly is a proven and trusted app for meeting Thai women as a foreigner. Just avoid the potential pitfalls.
My Experience With ThaiFriendly
- The women are beautiful and there are plenty to choose from
- Be aware that there are many freelancers, especially in Bangkok and Pattaya
- It worked great in the Isan area of Khon Kaen and Udon Thani
- My favorite feature is that you can pick and search for women in any city in Thailand
#2 – ThaiCupid
ThaiCupid is part of the Cupid Media network of international dating sites. It is one of the most popular dating sites in Thailand for meeting Thai women as a foreigner. I am a loyal user of the Cupid brand websites because of my successes in the Philippines with FilipinoCupid and in Colombia with ColombianCupid.
Some key features of ThaiCupid include:
- Translation tools – The site can translate messages between you and your matches to bridge any language barriers. This makes communication much easier.
- Verified profiles – ThaiCupid has a profile verification system to help confirm people are who they say they are. This adds a layer of security and trust.
- Large user base – With over 1.5 million members, ThaiCupid has one of the largest pools of Thai women looking to meet foreign men. This gives you plenty of options to find a match.
- Mobile app – ThaiCupid has iOS and Android apps so you can access your account on the go and continue conversations anywhere.
- Free to create an account and browse around. To message the women you need to pay for a subscription.
The vast majority of users on ThaiCupid are Thai women seeking relationships with Western men. There are also some ladyboys and a smaller number of Thai men looking for foreigners. Overall, it’s one of the best places to meet beautiful young Thai women online interested in dating and relationships.
My experience with ThaiCupid
- A lot of beautiful women that are not afraid to send the first message
- The women tend to be looking more for long-term relationships
- Has the best filtering tools of an app/website I use.
- I love to filter on body type, kids/no kids, attractiveness, don’t drink, etc. to narrow down my matches
Also see: Top 5 Challenges Foreigners Face When Dating Thai Women
#3 – Badoo
Badoo is one of the most popular dating apps in Thailand and globally. With over 400 million users worldwide, it has a large user base in Thailand and is widely used across SouthEast Asia. I have also used Badoo in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Some key features of Badoo include:
- Location-based matching: Badoo uses your location to match you with people nearby. This makes it easy to find and meet people in your city.
- Verified profiles: Users can verify their profiles by uploading a photo of themselves mimicking a specific pose. This helps reduce fake profiles.
- People Nearby: You can browse Badoo users who are nearby and connect with those you’re interested in.
- Encounters: Swipe right or left on profiles in the Encounters section. If you both swipe right, you’ll match and can start chatting.
- Video chat: Badoo has a built-in video chat feature so you can have video conversations before meeting in person.
- Free messaging: Send messages to matches for free. Only some advanced features require payment.
With a large Thai userbase and modern dating app features like location-based matching and video chat, Badoo is a popular choice for foreigners looking to meet people while visiting or living in Thailand.
Also see: 5 Steps To Create A Great International Dating Profile
#4 – Tinder
Tinder is a global dating app phenomenon with a huge user base all over the world. In Thailand, it has become very popular especially in major cities like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai where there are lots of young Thai locals and expat foreigners.
My issue with Tinder in Thailand is the same as it was in the Philippines for me. There are an incredible amount of ladyboys on Tinder and they try to disguise themselves as women. With the rise of enhancement filters it’s very difficult to decipher the real women apart from the ladyboys.
In Thailand, you will get a lot of matches if you are a foreigner. But be aware that the reputation of Tinder is that it’s mainly used for casual dating and hookups. Many young Thai women use it to meet interesting foreigners, while many foreign men use it to meet beautiful Thai women. However, some people have found longer term relationships and marriage through Tinder here. It has a fun, casual vibe and it’s easy to meet lots of new people.
Also, if you prefer meeting women in public over online dating, check out out my guide on: The Best Places To Meet Beautiful Thai Women In Bangkok
#5 – Bumble
Bumble is one of the most popular dating apps among foreigners in Thailand. It has a unique women-first approach where women must initiate conversations with matches first.
During my time in Thailand, I discovered a preference for Bumble as opposed to Tinder. In my experience, women on Bumble in Thailand appeared to have a more professional and long-term relationship mindset. Many of them were educated, employed, or still pursuing their education. As a result, there was a higher percentage of Thai women who were fluent in English.
Some key features of Bumble include:
- Women Make the First Move: Once a match is made, only women can message first, giving them more control over conversations. Men cannot initiate.
- Time Limits for Messaging: Women have 24 hours to message a new match before it expires. For same-gender matches, either person can message first.
- Bumble BFF Mode: Bumble isn’t just for dating. There’s a friend-finding feature to meet new people platonically.
- Bumble Bizz Mode: Users can also switch to a professional networking mode to connect with mentors, find jobs, etc.
Bumble has a sizable user base in Thailand of young professional expats and English-speaking Thai locals in Bangkok and major cities. While not as large as Tinder, many find Bumble’s quality better for serious dating versus casual meetups.
Want to try meeting Thai women in public? Learn the best strategies in this article: How To Approach Thai Women In Public | Daygame and Nightgame
Other Notable Apps
A few other apps that are popular for meeting people in Thailand include:
- Paktor – This app was created specifically for the Asian market. It has a large userbase in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. Features include being able to see who has liked your profile and using “charms” to stand out.
- Skout – This global app has a good number of users in Thailand. It allows you to meet people nearby based on location and interests. Messaging and live broadcasting features are available.
Tips for Using Dating Apps in Thailand
When using dating apps as a foreigner in Thailand, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Safety
- Meet in public places on the first couple of dates and avoid going to private residences on early dates. Let someone know where you’ll be.
- Don’t share too many personal details or financial information with matches. Romance scams are common.
- Use caution when accepting drinks, as there have been some cases of drink spiking. Watch your drink being poured and keep it with you.
Avoiding Scams
- Beware of profiles asking for money or gifts early on. Some may pretend to be students needing help with expenses.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, even if they have a sad story. Some women really are looking for financial support for their eduction. However, it’s more than likely a scam. Other common scams involve emergencies and requests for visa or travel costs.
- Go slowly with any talk of marriage or moving abroad together. Some scammers have long-term con games.
If you want to read more about avoiding common dating scams in Thailand, please see: How To Avoid The Most Common Dating Scams In Thailand
Being Respectful
- Understand that more traditional gender roles are common in Thailand. Avoid being overly assertive or expecting equality.
- Do not ask for promiscuous or nude photos. Thai women hate that and you will probably get blocked from using the website.
- Public displays of affection are frowned upon. No kissing or groping in public, keep things modest.
- Learn some key Thai phrases and customs to help avoid offending locals. Smile and be polite.
- Keep in mind that more reserved communication styles are the norm. Don’t take shy responses as disinterest.
- Accept that rejection is likely common as a foreigner. Don’t take it personally. Move on politely.
- If you do come across a ladyboy, don’t bicker with them. Just move on to the next woman in your search.
By staying safe, avoiding scams, and being respectful, your dating app experience in Thailand can be fun and fruitful. Just use good judgment and keep things in perspective!