Matchmakers navigate the waters

Matchmakers navigate the waters

Colour me sceptical. I didn't think a male foreigner really needed a dating service to find women in Thailand. But there are several companies providing that very service, so they must be doing something right.

Bangkokmatching.com makes some bold claims on its website, including an over-80% success rate, with one to three couples falling in love daily. And we were told the company had 500 couples get married last year.

The key for Bangkok Matching seems to be it focuses on people looking for serious relationships. The company rigorously screens applicants, and I've heard it doesn't accept clients it feels are bad fits for the service.

Going through such a lengthy screening process can be a drag, but that's where the matchmaker comes in. Bangkok Matching never forgets it is a service company, which is important in a city where customer service is not a given.

You have to list your educational and work background as well as your family history. Then you have to check positive adjectives that describe you. I tried to be as accurate as possible, so I left several unchecked. When I handed my form in, the matchmaker said: "Well, we can't have that. You want people to choose you, right?"

I said: "I guess so."

"So we need to make you look as positive as possible," she said before filling in most of the checkboxes. If everyone has all their checkboxes filled in, how would anyone be able to distinguish between the dating choices? She told me it was best to make a positive first impression.

I'm also pretty sceptical about the "science of matchmaking", which is touted on Bangkok Matching's website, and this encounter didn't change my outlook.

The matchmaker is very open and honest, describing how the system works and what is expected of you. Once a matchmaker believes she has found a match, she emails both people the profile of the other for confirmation of whether they want to meet.

If you are unsure or leaning against meeting a proposed match, the matchmaker sends a testimonial of a hesitant client who eventually went on the date and found the mate of his dreams. This usually has the desired effect and you agree to the date.

A day before the date, the matchmaker emails you the phone number of your date in case you want to chat before you meet, or to contact your date when you arrive. You can suggest the location, but the matchmakers are good at selecting venues that are quiet enough to have a conversation.

The matchmaker emails you after the date to get your impressions and see if you want to meet your date again. If both parties agree, you're free to start dating on your own.

As several of the offers at Bangkok Matching are packages, I've been told if you and your date believe you've found true love, you can suspend your package to concentrate on one date.

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