The Challenge and Rewards of Thai Dating

Thai women have a reputation as some of the most beautiful women in the world.  No one will quibble with that, but there is much more to Thai brides than just their exotic Asian looks.

Finding a Thai wife online is complicated a little because of the large “Thai Love” sex tourism trade that is rampant in cities like Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. 

Because of this some Thai mail order brides from respectable families are a little more hesitant about meeting men through agencies, because they want to be sure that guys know that they are not prostitutes.

Thai Brides

There are many positive stereotypes about Thai mail order brides.  Physically, they have a reputation for being short, thin, and petite, of being delicate and graceful, and (like many Asian women) of aging extremely well. 

Culturally, Thai brides are said to be dedicated to their husbands and children, respectful and polite, patient and understanding.  Like all stereotypes, it contains a kernel of truth.  But also like stereotypes the world over, the truth is often more complicated.

Thai Girls

The Thai diet and lifestyle lends itself to thin, fit women.  The country is far less drenched in convenience and fast food that Europe or North America, and walking around Bangkok is often faster than trying to dive in the congested traffic. 

Thai women do tend to be small and short, however, so if you're looking for a six-foot Amazon, you may want to try Russian dating instead.

Thai culture does indeed place a high value of wives being respectful and dedicated to their husbands and children, of satisfying their needs and fulfilling their desires.  The mistake many Western men make, however, is to confuse this with Thai women being submissive.

In truth, in Thai culture this devotion and respect is expected to go both ways in a marriage.  Thai brides expect their husbands to reward their dedication by treating them with the respect due a lady.  Thai brides will expect their husband to do his best to satisfy her needs and desires, and to be loyal and devoted to her, their children, and their life together. The quickest way to alienate a Thai woman is to fail to show her the proper respect.

Thai Dating

Thai Dating presents some unique challenges you may not encounter while dating other foreign women.  Thai culture is very, very different from American culture.  Thailand was one of the few countries that was never colonized by a Western power, so it lacks the layer of European cultural influence that many other parts of the world have. 

Over 80% of Thai women are Buddhist, and have little desire to convert.  Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, so Thai women are at least familiar with democracy, just not the American style.  Even British men might have a difficult time grasping the nature of Thai government.

That being said, there are still many cultural bridges you can use to your advantage.  Many Thai women are familiar with Western culture through fashion, foreign tourists, and the mass media. 

During World War II and continuing through the 1960s and 70s, many American servicemen were stationed there, leading to a long tradition of cultural exchange, intermarriage, and mixed families.  In fact, Tiger Woods is the most famous child of the thousands of Thai brides who married American servicemen beginning in the 1960s.

English is required in the schools, so most educated Thai women will speak and understand some English, although they are generally not fluent in it. 

Foreign-Thai dating and the mail order bride business has been long established in Thailand, going back to the 1970s.  Consequently, there may be less cultural resistance to foreign dating among Thai mail order brides than among foreign women in other countries.

The most reliable path to success in Thailand dating is to learn as much about Thai culture as possible.  Spend some time researching as much as you can about both traditional AND modern Thai society, traditions, and values. 

Thailand has many ancient and colorful cultural traditions and its own set of spoken and unspoken rules about acceptable and unacceptable behavior during courtship.  Studying Thai culture is the best way to avoid these cultural pitfalls in Thai dating.  Finally, the fact that you are familiar with their culture and heritage will go a long way toward impressing potential Thai brides.

Treat Your Thai Girl With Respect!

Like many Asian cultures, courtesy and good manners are valued highly.  Being discourteous, crass, or rude is not just considered impolite, but disrespectful-and that's a turn-off for any woman, regardless of nationality.  On your first few dates, do your best not be to a boorish Western tourist. 

Treat all your prospective Thai brides like ladies.  Be polite and attentive in conversation.  Don't interrupt when they're speaking.  A thoughtful gift, even a small one, is sure to impress.  Open doors for them, offer them your arm, or offer to carry their handbag. 

Although Western women sometimes find such gestures to be insulting, condescending, or chauvinistic, in Thai society they are still considered polite and respectful.

Unlike Western culture, Thai society generally disapproves of public displays of affection.  Kissing, hugging, holding hands, or even touching a Thai woman's hair in public is frowned upon.  Therefore, play it safe and limit yourself to only the most simple and acceptable forms of social touching such as handshakes.  Be sure not to sit too close to potential Thai brides, at least during the first few dates.

The physical and sexual aspect of Thailand dating is complicated by the fact that for decades, Thailand has been a hotspot for sex tourism.  Bangkok is unofficially known as the "love capitol" of the world. 

Consequently, if you are overly physically affectionate to a Thai girl, touch her inappropriately, or expect sex after the date, she will likely think that you are a sex tourist who has mistaken her for a prostitute.  This is both insulting and disrespectful, and pretty much guaranteed to make a Thai woman lose all interest in you.

Thai Girls and Premarital Sex

Thai women generally don't believe in sex before marriage.  Don't ask for premarital sex, and especially don't demand it.  This can be frustrating, especially since Thai dating traditionally involves a nine month courtship before marriage and sex. 

Ironically, it is this very prohibition against physical affection before marriage that has lent Thai women the reputation for being exotic, sensual, and erotic.  Thai women tend to be both romantic and passionate-but when attraction and affection can't be expressed physically, it forces them to find other, more creative ways of expressing it.  Consequently, many Thai women are masters of the art of teasing and flirting.

No matter how sexual frustrating Thailand dating may be, stick to your guns, respect your Thai bride’s wishes, and you'll most likely find that the anticipation and long wait for the wedding night was well worth it.

Visiting Your Thai Girlfriend

Thailand is a beautiful country with a rich culture.  Over 90% of Thai girls are Buddhists and many men are attracted to the simplicity of the religion.

Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only Southeast Asian country not to have been a European colony, and since 1932 it has been led by a constitutional monarchy. 

With a dynamic economy and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand was one of East Asia's best economic performers from 2002-04, but recently the economy has sagged badly.  However, most Thai women signing up as mail order brides tend to come from the wealthier cities rather than the poor countryside.  

Thailand is a beautiful country with thousands of great beaches and Thai women are very plugged into Western culture.  Most hot Thai girls speak some English, it is required in school, but generally they are not fluent. 

However, after seeing hot Thai girls in bikinis on almost any of the beaches you probably won’t be too worried about their verb usage.

Finally, because of the international tourism boom that started in the late 1980s Thailand is one of the easiest and cheapest world-class destinations.  So, it is easy to visit your Thai bride without roughing it.