You need an ace up your sleeve to truly master dating in Bangkok.
What with terrible traffic, sweltering humidity and hordes of tourists conspiring against you, the best dates will always be those set in one location. Vague plans to wander around Siam will only end one way — you, back at home, alone, sadly swiping right on Tinder.
But never fear, we’ve compiled this guide to the best dates in Bangkok that should impress your companion with your thoughtfulness to organise something unique for them. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you should spend a little time thinking about it.
Sure — it’s easier to simply go for dinner at MK at your nearest air-conditioned mall. But, truthfully, setting the tone for such mediocrity at the start of a relationship doesn’t inspire much hope for time to come.
(Obviously, MK all the way if all you’re after is an ultimately disappointing bang.)
Anyway; let’s take it away with Bangkok’s best dates…
Luxury Dates In Bangkok
If you’ve got cash to burn and want your date to know it, maybe think about including a luxury experience for a date to remember.
By Thomas Leuthard (CC BY 2.0 Licence)
While such flamboyance can be attractive a few dates in or on a special occasion, some ideas here may be a little heavy-handed for a first meeting — unless your new amour appreciates that flashy bastard swagger. (If so: good luck).
Helicopter Ride
To experience and share a view over Bangkok that you likely won’t have seen before, book a helicopter tour over the city to take in the sights and bird’s eye view of the skyline.
There are a number of helicopter tours operating in the city; for instance, this one lasts 50 minutes and takes you to see the Chao Phraya River, Grand Palace and Wat Arun, as well as venturing out towards Samut Prakan, Ancient City and the Erawan Museum.
Prices are on request.
Drinks Under the Stars
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A more common way to get a good view over Bangkok and to impress your dating companion is a date at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. This is a pleasantly low-key way to get to know your date, and cocktails under the stars is always an elegant first date idea.
Bear in mind that they can be quite busy and full of couples with exactly the same idea as you. Remember to book a table for the best views!
There are countless rooftop bars in Bangkok. Here’s a few of our favourites:
- Moon Bar (Sathorn)
- Octave (Thonglor)
- Above Eleven (Nana)
- Sky Bar at Lebua (Silom)
Japanese Bath
A slightly more active — and more intimate — luxury date idea is to indulge in a traditional Japanese Onsen treatment together at Yunomori Onsen (Sukhumvit Soi 26).
Here you can bathe in healing water sourced from thermal springs at Wat Wangkanai, helping you to detoxify and totally relax with your partner. Also available are soda spas, jet baths, garden baths, teak baths, cold baths, sauna and steam room. The traditional bath is usually followed by a Thai massage.
Prices for onsen are 450 baht each, with Thai massage an additional 390 baht for 60 minutes. Packages are available.
Tasting Menu
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We wouldn’t normally recommend dinner on the first date, but if it’s a special occasion or you really want to show off your purchasing power, the Degustation Menu at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon takes some beating in terms of style.
Executive chef is Olivier Limousin, who’s won double Michelin Stars for Robuchon in both London and Paris previously.
This tasting menu boasts such courses as: Imperial caviar in lobster jelly and fennel cream; Free range quail stuffed with foie gras served with potato puree; and Milk-fed lamb cutlets from Pyrénées.
5 courses costs 5,000 baht per person (plus 3,000 baht for wine pairing); and 7 courses cost 7,500 baht per person (plus 4,000 baht for wine pairing).
Unusual Dates In Bangkok
If you don’t fancy going overboard on a high-rolling date but still fancy something quirky and memorable, there’s plenty in Bangkok that will cater to your tastes.
These unusual dates will encourage you to get to know your partner in a different setting and even allow you to test their mettle away from their comfort zone.
Escape the Room
No; we’re not advising you lock your date in a room. We want to be really clear on that.
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There are a number of outlets offering escape room games in Bangkok and while most people choose to go with a group of friends, these are also a great thing to do as a couple. Essentially, you need to solve riddles and brain teasers in a themed room of your choosing in order to escape.
It’s fun and, if nothing else, will allow you to assess the brain power of your date.
A 2 player game at The Escape Hunt Experience (Asok) costs 900 baht per person if booked in advance.
Snake Handling
What could be more romantic than a trip to the Bangkok snake farm?
Located at the Red Cross Institute on Rama IV, the farm is home to a number of beautiful snakes and interesting displays. There’s also a daily show where a professional snake handler will show the audience a number of snakes and educate them on the physiology and anthropology of each snake as well as the delicate milking process.
It’s very well supervised — even when audience members are invited to get up close and personal with a boa constrictor. Seriously: this is pure romance, guys.
Snake handling demonstrations are at 14.30 on weekdays and 11.00 on weekends. Venom extraction is at 11.00 on weekdays.
Entry is 200 baht for adults.
Dine in the Dark
Equally unusual but arguably more romantic than snake handling, Dine in the Dark is a concept restaurant at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit hotel where you, quite literally, dine in darkness.
Visually impaired guides will take you to your seats where you’ll enjoy a four course set menu (1,450 baht per person). Mobile phones must be turned off and the Sheraton will pledge a donation to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand for every diner.
This could be a great option for a date with anyone that used a dishonestly good-looking profile picture in their online dating profile.
Wakeboarding
If you’re feeling adventurous and your date is too, one of the best ways to have a good time and bond together is at the Thai Wake Park just outside of Bangkok in Pathum Thani. Wakeboarding is fun, active and a great way to connect with a kindred spirit.
It’s suitable for all levels from absolute beginners all the way up to the highly skilled, and they have 2 and 5 Towers Cables available for use.
Two-hour slots start from 850 baht per person and — if you’re feeling thrifty — Lady Day every Tuesday has discounts for women boarders.
Cute Dates In Bangkok
By Kevin Dooley (CC BY 2.0 Licence)
Not every couple wants to be swanning around Bangkok in a helicopter or pounding it out at the wake park on a date, so we’ve come up with some low-key ideas that are suitable for everything from first dates to the long-term marrieds.
Still a step-up from a fluoro-lit dinner at MK, these dates are low cost, lots of fun and — incredibly important if you’re dating a Thai girl — CUTE.
Animal Cafe
Bangkok has signed up big-style to the Asian trend of animal cafes — that is, cafes with extra pets. We’ve got cat cafes, fox cafes and — our favourite — a husky cafe.
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The Neverland Siberian Ranch is located out in Ari and is home to around 20 Siberian huskies, as well as a blue merle Australian Shepherd, an Akita Inu and the gorgeous MoMo — a Shitzu cross Japanese Spitz. There’s a cafe on site serving up coffee, cakes and Thai snacks and two ‘playtimes’ daily (three at the weekend), where you’ll be invited out to play with the huskies.
Tickets are 350 baht each, which includes a coffee and a cake.
Movie Magic
A ticket to the cinema is one of the best bargains you’ll find in Bangkok, while some outlets will run offers during the week of Buy One Get One Free or heavily discounted tickets.
Seats are incredibly comfortable, blankets are provided, and you can stock up on popcorn and beer for a real romantic picnic. Some of the particularly fancy outlets offer twin sofa seating and even beds. You know what that is? CUTE.
Just remember to pick your film wisely. We’re not sure that romance goes hand-in-hand with Star Trek.
Drinks
There’s very little that’s better than a drinks date — whether you’re on your first dalliance or 350th. And, while if you’re in good company the location matters nothing, there are a few spots that are better than others for drinks dates in Bangkok.
Tuba – via Facebook
A good bar isn’t too hard to come by in Bangkok, but if you’re suffering from decision fatigue, here are a few of our favourites:
- Tuba (Ekkamai)
- Vesper (Silom)
- WTF (Thonglor)
- Maggie Choo’s (Silom)
- Bon Bon (Thonglor)
What’s your favourite date spot in Bangkok?
