Loy Krathong with You! Thai Dating Tips

A poll shows that Thais plan to meet someone they’ve been chatting with on social media for the first time on Loy Krathong Day and intend to build a deeper connection that night as well.

 

Nowadays, Loy Krathong Day is not just a traditional Thai festival; it is also a special time that many people value, especially in terms of love and relationships. According to a recent survey, many single Thais hope to meet someone they connected with through social media on Loy Krathong Day and expect to form a deeper relationship that night as well.

 

Why is Loy Krathong more special for couples than for others?

 

In addition to being an important day for Thai religion and tradition, Loy Krathong is also used as a symbol for dating and meeting among singles seeking love, as well as couples. This makes both couples and many singles looking for partners view Loy Krathong as a special occasion. A survey conducted by Siam Technology College at the end of 2023 involving over 1,100 Thais aged 18 and above found that 40.91% of respondents indicated they intended to have a deeper relationship on Loy Krathong night, reaffirming the special significance of the day in the eyes of those in committed relationships.

 

The factors that make Loy Krathong related to building deeper connections, according to Bangkok Matching, a high-end matchmaking company, are as follows:

 

• Romantic Atmosphere: The lights from the floating krathongs along the water, the soft music playing, and the pleasant cool weather make Loy Krathong a day full of romance, perfect for creating lasting impressions.

 

• Shared Activities: Making krathongs together, strolling, dining by the riverside, or watching various performances are sweet activities that allow couples and dates to spend time together, strengthen their bond, and learn more about each other.

 

• Positive Significance about Love: Floating krathongs is a way of asking for forgiveness from Phra Mae Khongka (the goddess of water) and sending good wishes along with the krathongs. Many couples believe that floating krathongs together will help strengthen and sustain their love. Additionally, Loy Krathong marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter, symbolizing the start of new things, including new relationships.

 

 

• Survey reveals that people in Bangkok want to Loy Krathong with their ‘family’ the most, followed by ‘romantic partners.’

 

The Research and Development Institute of Rajabhat University in Bang Somdej Chao Phraya conducted a survey in 2023 to gather opinions from Bangkok residents regarding Loy Krathong. The findings showed that Bangkokians prefer to float krathongs with family members the most, followed by partners or loved ones. The most popular locations for floating krathongs among Bangkok residents are events specifically organized for the festival, as detailed below.

 

People they want to float krathongs with:

• 36.1% Family members
• 25.5% Partners/Romantic lovers
• 17.2% Friends
• 21.2% Unsure

 

Preferred locations for floating krathongs:

• 12.9% Locations with organized Loy Krathong events
• 7.4% Home areas
• 6% Public parks
• 3.3% Swimming pools or ponds

 

• Over 31% of Thais plan to meet online acquaintances on Loy Krathong.

 

In addition to regular couples hoping to spend time together on Loy Krathong, over 31.31% of singles—those who have developed relationships through online platforms or dating apps—indicated their intention to meet someone they’ve connected with online for their first date during the Loy Krathong festivities. Meanwhile, 68.69% are unsure whether they will participate in the celebrations or not.

 

The survey also revealed interesting experiences regarding first encounters with individuals from social media, with respondents providing the following insights:

• 62.06% have chatted with someone on social media
• 28.68% have traveled with someone they just met online
• 17.97% have invited someone they just met online to their home
• 17.74% have shared a room with someone they met online for the first time

 

These results show that Thais generally tend to trust people they meet online quite a bit, and many wish to use the opportunity of Loy Krathong to meet in person.

 

• Cautions for meeting a date from social media

 

Although meeting someone from the internet or dating apps can be risky, many see it as an opportunity to transform an online romance into a real-life relationship. They are eager to take advantage of this chance to spend time together and engage in activities. Bangkok Matching, a high-end matchmaking company, offers the following advice for those looking to meet someone they’ve met online this Loy Krathong night:

 

• Inform friends or family about where you’re going, who you’re meeting, and when you’ll return. Provide a backup contact number in case you’re unreachable.

 

• Choose public places. While you might want a romantic date, it’s advisable to avoid secluded or private locations for a first meeting. Instead, opt for Loy Krathong events at temples or popular tourist spots for safety.

 

• Don’t accept drinks or items from your date if you’re unsure of their origin.

 

• Maintain privacy on the first date. Avoid sharing too much personal information, such as your address, travel details, or passwords.

 

The Loy Krathong festival is a beautiful and charming Thai tradition that reflects Thai culture. When meeting a date on this occasion, the main activity should involve floating krathongs together and making good wishes. Additionally, be mindful of safety when using this opportunity to meet someone from the online world, to prevent potential dangers that can arise from “knowing the face but not the heart.