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MeetNLunch Reveals New Findings for Dating in Thailand in 2023: How Covid-19, Inflation, and K-Drama Impacts Thailand’s Singles

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the world in recent years, including the dating habits of people. However, there has been little effort to understand these changes.

MeetNLunch, a top matchmaking company in Thailand, has surveyed Thai singles in late 2022, which sheds light on their preferences, the impact of inflation and COVID-19, as well as the phenomenon of Noona Romance in the dating scene in Thailand. This study is particularly helpful for singles who are facing challenges in finding a partner, as it provides insights on how to navigate the new-normal world of dating.

The survey found that even as social distancing measures have relaxed, a staggering 27% of Thais revealed they prefer virtual meetups to traditional, in-person dates. With economic uncertainty and financial worries a constant concern, 46% of respondents are now spending less on dates than they did not before Covid-19, with only 16% saying they were spending more. For the majority, dating has become more casual and affordable than before, but with less success.

The big surprise came with the discovery that 79% of women said they would be open to dating younger men, up from previous years. Meanwhile, the number of men willing to date older women dropped from 99% in 2019 to 62% in 2022. So, what’s the shift in attitudes? It can be attributed to what’s known as
“Noona Romance”, is a trope in Korean drama where female leads are paired with younger male leads. It’s become so popular that “Noona Romance” has now become a genre in Korean dramas. This shows that Korean dramas affect not only travel, food, lifestyle, and beauty trends but also how we date.

Despite these changes, the survey reveals that some preferences have remained unchanged. Thai men’s top three preferences in a partner are age, body type, and education level, while Thai women’s preferences are income level, age, and body type. As inflation continues to impact the country, 52% of Thai singles consider themselves stable, and 32% say price increases have not impacted their dates. However, 17% are more likely to suggest free activities when planning a date.

“So much has changed after we emerged from the pandemic, and as we navigate the changes in our daily lives, we overlook how dating has been impacted as well. It’s a different world out there now, and many people will have to learn how to date in the new normal,” said Napaporn Thapananon, Country Head of MeetNLunch Thailand.

“We’ve seen a big growth in our business as singles focused more on finding the right partner, and our team of experienced matchmakers can help them every step of the way. Apart from MeetNLunch, we’ve recently launched Peerage in Thailand, an exclusive matchmaking service for Thailand’s elite singles due to increasing demand from high-caliber singles who need extra privacy and exclusivity when it comes to dating,” added Thapananon.

For more information on the LunchActually Regional Survey 2022: https://www.lunchactually.com/my/blog/lunch-actually-annual-regional-survey-2022-2/

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