ThaiFriendly Premium: Worth the Money for Dating in Pattaya?

Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by admin

ThaiFriendly is arguably the most popular dating app for foreigners looking to meet Thai singles. If you’ve spent any time on the free version, you already know the major pain point: the 10 minute message limit. For anyone serious about arranging dates during a limited trip to Pattaya, this restriction can be crippling. This guide breaks down the true value of a Premium membership, the current cost, and our best purchasing hack.

The Chief Advantage: Unlimited Messaging

The decision to buy ThaiFriendly Premium really comes down to this one factor. With a free account, you are restricted to sending only one message every 10 minutes. This includes accounts you’ve contacted before. In a fast-paced environment like Pattaya, this is a severe brake on your progress.

ThaiFriendly Premium removes the 10-minute limit, giving you:

• Speed: You can quickly reply to messages and send out a flurry of initial messages in an hour, not a single one.
• Momentum: An initial chat can move from a “hello” to a “let’s meet for a drink” in minutes, not hours.
• Success: When you’re able to chat freely, you vastly increase your chances of securing a date before your potential match moves on to another one of the hundreds of profiles they see daily.

If your time in Pattaya is short, unlimited messaging can be worth the money. No need to purchase it at home. A one month subscription while on the ground is sufficient for most travelers.

The Gimmicks: Other “Premium” Features

ThaiFriendly Premium comes with several additional features, such as “Advanced Search Filters,” (adds weight and height) “Message Read Receipts,” and the “Auto Message on Likes“ function.

Many experienced users find them to be mostly gimmicks or minor conveniences not worth paying for on their own. The chief reason to pay the subscription fee is for the removal of the 10-minute message block. A secondary reason is that, allegedly, paying the subscription boosts your messages to the top of peoples’ message queues; if you tend to message the most conventionally attractive users, then this might be for you. Some popular profiles get dozens, if not hundreds, of messages a day.

One thing some new users find confusing when using the web version of ThaiFriendly: some profiles are marked “Premium” and you’re pitched to upgrade if you try to message them. However, in the app, no profiles are tagged as “Premium” and you may message anyone you like, even with the free version.

How Much Does ThaiFriendly Premium Cost?

For travelers visiting Pattaya for a short trip, the monthly option is the most straightforward and practical choice. The cost is USD $19.99 per month.

Purchasing Hack: Buy and Cancel Immediately

Automated billing is the biggest headache of all subscription services. Here is a simple tip to ensure you get your full month of Premium usage without the risk of an unwanted renewal charge:

1. Purchase Premium through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (the app versions).
2. Immediately go to your phone’s Subscription Settings (not the ThaiFriendly app settings).
3. Cancel the subscription renewal.

What Happens?

• You are billed for the current month.
• The system confirms the cancellation of future charges.
• You retain full Premium access for the entire 30-day period you paid for.

Our Final Verdict: Is it Worth It?

Warning: Purchase Premium Before You Leave Home

Before you leave your home country, we strongly advise you to purchase or renew your ThaiFriendly subscription. Once you arrive in Thailand, regional restrictions and payment verification issues on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store frequently prevent Western travelers from completing purchases or renewing subscriptions using their foreign payment methods, which could leave you unable to access premium features while abroad.

If you want to maximize your efforts on the app before you open your wallet, check out our best tips and tricks for using the free version:

5 ThaiFriendly App Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Dating in Pattaya

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