Bangkok may be full of energy and excitement, but finding love here isn’t always easy. The city offers plenty, from incredible restaurants and buzzing bars to lively art events – yet romance can still feel out of reach. And the statistics back this up. According to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), 40.5% of Thais of reproductive age (15-49) are single – and I’m one of them.
Of course, dating apps offer a quick way to swipe and find a match, but for me, it’s not just about making a match – it’s about creating something real. A meaningful conversation, followed by a date, is where the spark happens. But there’s always the risk of being ghosted, which feels like such a waste of time. After several attempts to meet someone, I decided to try something different. Instead of relying on virtual encounters, I wanted to meet someone face-to-face who shared my goal – to find real love.
That’s when I came across OMG Matchmaking, which hosts monthly speed dating events. In a city as big as this, where it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd, meeting potential matches in person seemed like a change of pace. So, I signed up. If you’re feeling disconnected in this concrete jungle, here’s the lowdown on what really happens at one of these events.
Setting the stage
The speed dating event I attended took place at Chim Chim Bangkok. Before the event, I filled in my details and selected the group I wanted to mingle with when I purchased my ticket online. I had the option of choosing a mixed group of Thai and foreigners or a foreigners-only group and I went with the mixed group. One key part of the process was the description section, where your answers would appear on the sheet provided by the staff. So, I recommend keeping it honest and straightforward.
When I arrived, I checked in with the staff, who gave me a sheet outlining the schedule for the evening and introduced the 14 ‘mysterious’ guys I’d be chatting with. There were three groups that night and I was in Group B, which consisted of people in their late 20s to late 30s.
A nice bonus was a free welcome drink to help settle my nerves. The event officially started at 7.30pm, but arriving early would give you a chance to mingle and get comfortable before things got underway.
Building the spark
When it was time to connect, the girls stayed put at their numbered tables while the guys did all the moving. We had just five minutes to chat with each guy and once the bell rang, that was it – time’s up.
In my group, there were two Thai guys and the rest were foreigners. What I noticed was that everyone had the same goal. How did I know? Well, everyone kept asking me the same question: ‘What are you doing here?’ For some guys, five minutes felt like an eternity. But with the ones I clicked with, the time flew by way too fast.
Talking non-stop to 14 guys was definitely exhausting, so thankfully, there was a 15-minute break to grab more drinks and recharge. One thing I learned was how tiring it can be to keep the conversation flowing for so long. I’d recommend preparing some questions in advance so you’re not repeating yourself and can keep things interesting.
Finale
After meeting everyone, it was time to tick the names of the guys I felt a spark with. You could choose as many as you liked and I picked a few. The guys did the same. If there was a match, the organiser would send the details the next day. Unfortunately, I didn’t match with anyone. But if you're really hoping for a connection, you could tick everyone. And if you're not into waiting for the results, you could always ask for someone’s social media during the session.
Once we submitted our lists, there was an after-party. I noticed some people kept chatting, but I ended up hanging out with the girls from my group, talking about how we felt about the guys. After all, all we had left was the girls.
Pro tips for reeling in the right one
After going through the experience myself, here are some tips for anyone thinking of signing up: Prepare your questions in advance to avoid those awkward moments when you’re not sure what to say next. Keep an open mind and if you’re not feeling a connection, just keep chatting and smiling to keep the conversation flowing. Five minutes can pass by quickly.
And don’t be discouraged if you don’t match with anyone. It’s not a reflection of you; it simply means the people in your group weren’t the right fit. It’s better than wasting time and you can always sign up for more events in the future.
Even if you don’t match, you’ll likely walk away with a few more friends – especially the girls in your group.
That said, as someone who tends to get attached easily, I’ve had my moments when I felt a little down after someone shifted their attention to the next person. It can be tough when they seem to enjoy talking to someone else more. But I got some great advice: One guy told me, ‘Don’t be sad. It’s your time to express yourself. If they’re interested in someone else, that’s their choice. Just be yourself and everything will fall into place.’ It was a good reminder to not take things personally.
If you’re curious about OMG Matchmaking’s speed dating events, check out their website for updates on upcoming sessions. They also offer events for the LGBTQ+ community.