Thank Us Later: Five Ideas for a Casual and Fun First Date in Bangkok

No matter how many times you remind yourself to just relax, going on a first date can feel daunting. It can also be awkward, sometimes, which we'd argue is only natural in the newness of any situation.

First dates, more or less, give you the opportunity to get to know your date a bit more and determine whether there's enough of a connection to see each other again. It shouldn't feel like a job interview or anything that would put you in a place of discomfort.

If you're back on the playing field and feel you're heading towards a first date, know that there's more to it than coffee or dinner (not that there's anything wrong with any of these). Here are five ideas you can suggest for your first date!

Join a Cooking Class

Cooking is a basic life lesson required for survival. If your date can't cook and is unwilling to learn, well, there shall be no second date. If, however, they're down to trying new things, a cooking class can be a great first date experience. And if you both love cooking, then this activity will allow you to learn from each other's techniques in the kitchen and what food you love best. We recommend this Thai cooking class by Pink Chili Cooking School, which can be done in the morning or afternoon and comes with a local market tour. Priced at THB1,200, the class will see students learn how to cook four different Thai dishes over the course of four hours. You and your date can book here!

Location: Pink Chili Cooking School, On Nut 2 Alley

Paint Pretty Pictures at Paintbar Bangkok

Being creative is an important quality to have. One activity to nudge you and your date to get your creative juices flowing is this paint and sip activity by Paintbar Bangkok. It can make for an interesting date, as not everyone can say they created paintings together on their first meeting, and you get to bring your own masterpiece home. To jazz your date up, you and your date can exchange paintings when you're both done. No art background or experience is needed for this class, and an instructor will be present for assistance. You can book slots here.

Location: Paintbar Bangkok, 6/F Piman 49, 46/4 Soi Sukhumvit, 49 Khlong Tan Wattana

Dare to Try an Escape Room

How well can you handle yourself under pressure? This fun activity will test you and your date's patience and ability to think quickly and make decisions clear-headedly under extreme circumstances (and hey, these are qualities we all look for in a significant other). We recommend Puzzle Room, regarded as the number one escape room in Bangkok. It has four themed rooms in different difficulty levels that can accommodate two players, namely Prison Break, Bank Robbery, Lost Symbol, and Space Adventure. For more information on the rooms, go here.

Location: Puzzle Room, 21/8 Soi Sukhumvit, 18 Klong Toei

Bowl Away

Bowling is another great date idea, as this can allow you and your date to engage in some friendly banter and healthy competition. A top choice for bowling in Bangkok is Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, which is a one-stop shop for entertainment. Aside from bowling, it also has karaoke rooms in case you and your date want to sing your hearts out by the end of the night. It also serves food and drinks in the establishment, so you don't have to look for a restaurant outside to refuel. This place is like the Goldilocks of first date spots: not too much and not lacking, it makes for the perfect setting for a casual getting-to-know-each-other meet-up.

Location: Multiple

Listen and Chill at a Sound Club

If you and your date just want to chill and vibe to good music, no problem. Music lovers will be smitten with the Siwilai Sound Club, a bar that "elevates music to its nature and advocates sound quality in its purest form." It has two sections, namely the Live Room for live performances from the club's incredible resident bands and the Audiophile Bar for some sizzling beats from the electrifying sets of the bar's DJs. We recommend you and your date check out the club's lineup of artists here so you can plan accordingly. Siwilai Sound Club is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 PM 'til late.

Location: Siwilai Sound Club, O.P. Place, 18 Charoen Kung 36 Alley, Bang Rak