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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
'I took £11 to a market in Thailand and was blown away by what it bought me'
Travel fan and food blogger Catherine Whild went along to the country's Chiang Mai Market with a small amount of cash to see what she could get. She was stunned. Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles and it's also known for being a great budget destination for travellers from across the globe. One must-do while in the Asian country is a visit to one of their bustling markets to soak up the atmosphere and bag yourself some bargains. One of the most popular is the Chiang Mai market where vendors sell delicious street food and unique souvenirs. But how much money should you take along to a market and is it really all that cheap being it is a huge tourist trap where surely travellers will fall foul to inflated prices? Global travel booking platform Omio spoke exclusively with Catherine Whild, a 31-year-old social media creator who vlogged her entire experience at the market on TikTok. Catherine found out about the Chiang Mai market when planning her itinerary to the country in 2016 and has gone back every time she has travelled to Thailand. She said: Northern Thailand is one of my favourite places to visit, especially Chiang Mai, with the markets being the biggest reason I love this city so much.' Catherine, who posts on TikTok under @traveltothefridge added: "I loved the food-specific sections of the market. "Being a food blogger and with Thai being my favourite cuisine, they have some incredible street food spots, some of which are surrounding the temples, so the setting is really authentic and a great spot to socialise with friends whilst eating some incredible food for a super reasonable cost.' ' Chiang Mai market is very big, so you can visit several times during your visit and manage to explore new parts of the market. It is easy to navigate, but it gets very busy in peak seasons, so it's best to arrive as early as you can!" She set off with 500 Baht - around £11 - in her pocket to see just what she could get for the relatively small amount. She explained: "When you compare markets in Thailand to those in the UK, especially London, you really notice how much further your money goes. "I often create content showing what £20 can get you at food markets in London, so I thought it would be fun to do something similar in Thailand. "I set myself a budget of 500 Baht (around £11 at the time) at the Chiang Mai Night Market, and I was honestly blown away by how much I could get.' Food wise she managed to buy: gyozas pad Thai coconut milk potato chips papaya salad a passion fruit soda a Nutella crepe She said: "It was so much food that we had to share it, and even then, I still didn't spend the full 500 Baht." With the money she had left over she went for a foot massage which cost 100 Baht. And she even managed to buy a personalised passport cover for just £1. She has one piece of advice for those who plan on going to the Chaing Mai market, or any others in Thailand: "Give yourself plenty of time and definitely arrive hungry - you won't want to miss all the incredible food on offer. "And if you see something you love, buy it on the spot! These markets are huge, and it's easy to lose track of where you saw that perfect item. "I also highly recommend planning your trip to be in Chiang Mai on a Sunday so you don't miss their most famous and vibrant night market.' Catherine's top 3 market recommendations to visit in Northern Thailand 1. The Sunday Walking Street Market- Chiang Mai 'This market is an absolute must-visit when in Thailand. Stretching through the heart of Chiang Mai, it offers everything from unreal street food and beautifully crafted clothing to unique homeware and art. "The atmosphere is super vibey, with live music, friendly vendors, and a real sense of community. It's easily one of my favourite markets… not just in Thailand, but anywhere.' 2. Pai Walking Street (Pai Night Market) 'Much smaller and more laid-back than Chiang Mai's market, Pai's night market offers a more personal experience. I was amazed to recognise some of the same vendors I'd seen in 2016 and 2022 – it felt like coming back to something familiar. "The food here is a mix of Thai favourites and international options… we even had an unexpectedly delicious lasagna, which was a fun change after days of Thai food. The intimate vibe of this market really sets it apart.' 3. Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok 'One of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak is a full-day adventure. You can find just about anything here - clothes, art, antiques, plants, and loads of homeware. "While the food didn't stand out as much compared to the northern markets, the sheer variety of stalls more than made up for it. I especially loved browsing the home decor stalls. I just wish I had more luggage space. Next time, I'm definitely bringing an empty suitcase!'
Korea Herald
13-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
ULTIMATE GAME COMMITS OVER 100 MILLION BAHT TO ADVANCE THAI GAMING INDUSTRY AND EXPAND ACROSS SOUTHEAST ASIA
BANGKOK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Game Co., Ltd., a premier Thai-based online game publisher, has unveiled a bold strategic investment exceeding 100 million Baht to solidify its footprint in Southeast Asia's rapidly expanding mobile gaming sector. The initiative underscores the company's commitment to delivering high-quality MMORPG content and driving sustainable regional growth. Mr. Attachet Chaichanasongkram, CEO and Co-Founder of Ultimate Game, shared the company's vision for 2025: "At Ultimate Game, we are dedicated to offering premium MMORPG mobile games that align with the preferences of Southeast Asian gamers—over 82% of whom prefer mobile gaming, with 65% favoring the MMORPG genre. With more than 15 years of industry experience and the support of global partners like Google, we are confident in our ability to deliver engaging, data-driven content tailored to the region's evolving demands." The company continues to build on the success of its hit title LUNA ORIGIN, while preparing for the launch of several new titles in 2025. The sizable investment will be directed toward marketing and operations across Southeast Asia, with a target of attracting over 1.25 million players during the launch window. To support this expansion, Ultimate Game has significantly scaled its multilingual Customer Service operations—including Thai, English, and Bahasa Indonesia—by integrating advanced support technologies and prioritizing exceptional player experience. "Our long-term ambition is to become a publicly listed company within five years," Mr. Attachet added. "We aim to be a top-tier mobile game provider across Southeast Asia, with at least two major game launches planned for next year alone." Mr. Kodchawara Vanichayapron, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder, outlined the company's go-to-market strategy: "Our 2025 marketing roadmap focuses on penetrating the Southeast Asian market by engaging three core gamer segments: Hardcore MMORPG enthusiasts, casual mobile users, and esports-driven competitive players. We are aligning game content and community strategies with localized trends and mobile-first behaviors in Thailand and beyond." The mobile gaming industry in Southeast Asia is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.41% between 2025 and 2033, with Thailand expected to see consistent growth of 7–10% per year. Therefore, Ultimate Game is implementing a comprehensive Localization strategy—customizing content and user experiences to meet the specific needs of each market. This is supported by a data-driven Digital Marketing approach, utilizing advanced analytics tools in collaboration with global partners such as Google and Soul M Game to precisely target key demographics. The company prioritizes games with strong IPs, stable infrastructures, and high potential for long-term community engagement, while also leveraging technologies like the Unity Engine, AI, and Big Data to optimize both development and marketing performance. In 2025, Ultimate Game aims to increase downloads and active user numbers by 20–30%, focusing on brand awareness, community engagement, experiential campaigns, and especially the new MORPGs.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Which country in Southeast Asia is the most popular among Indian travellers?
Known for its pristine beaches, affordable stays and vibrant nightlife, this country received the highest number of Indian tourists among Southeast Asian countries in 2024. Can you guess which one? Also read: 10 million tourists visited Asia's 'most-loved country' in Q1; more than Thailand, Indonesia India is one of Thailand's most significant tourism markets, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said in a press release in December 2024 to celebrate the 2 million-mark of Indian tourists in Thailand. In 2023, Indian tourists generated 61.9 billion Baht in revenue for Thailand. More than 35.5 million foreign tourists visited Thailand in 2024. Of these, 2.1 million were Indians. Indian travellers arrive in Thailand around the year. November to February is typically considered the high tourist season, overlapping with winter vacation for schoolchildren in India. Thailand is a popular tourist destination with both bachelors and families. There are plenty of factors that contribute to Thailand's popularity as India's favourite tourist destination, including accessibility, affordability and distance. In its press release, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said: 'Thailand's strong air connectivity with India has been instrumental in fostering this growth. As of June 2024, 342 weekly flights between the two nations offered 2.9 million seats annually, representing a 92.2% rebound from pre-pandemic levels. Recent additions, including Indigo's Hyderabad-Bangkok route, THAI's Kochi-Bangkok flights, and Thai AirAsia's Vishakhapatnam-Bangkok service, have further enhanced accessibility.' Friendly visa policies are another major factor contributing the footfall. Thailand has visa-free entry for Indians 'until further notice'. Popular tourist destinations in Thailand include Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Krabi, Chiang Mai and Phang-nga. Places like Phuket and Krabi are known for their stunning beaches and water activities. In Bangkok, tourists can enjoy shopping, visit famous temples like Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun, or drop into one of the city's famous rooftop bars. Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand, is famous for its historic temples, night markets, and mountain landscapes. It also serves as a base for visiting elephant sanctuaries.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Thailand eyes global top spot for gender-affirming surgery, backed by new equality laws
BANGKOK: Driven by comprehensive strategic planning, the Kingdom is leveraging its medical expertise and inclusive policies to attract international patients and the LGBTQ+ community, aiming for a prominent role in the global health sector. Thailand is now making an ambitious push to become the world's leading centre for gender-affirming care, integrating this specialised service into a broader strategy to establish the nation as a premier international health and wellness hub. A key focus of this initiative, recently approved by the high-level Wellness and Medical Hub Board, is leveraging Thailand's established expertise in gender-affirming surgeries, a move set to bolster its medical tourism sector. The average cost for such procedures in Thailand stands at approximately 480,000 Baht per person (around $US 14,774 at current exchange rates). This strategic drive is underpinned by the country's progressive legal landscape. Thailand became the third Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage, with the Marriage Equality Act coming into force on January 23, 2025. This landmark legislation not only champions human rights and diversity but is also viewed as a significant economic catalyst. The commitment to inclusivity is further highlighted by events such as the Bangkok Pride Festival, held annually in June. The 2025 festival, themed 'Born This Way', will see Pride celebrations extend beyond Bangkok to over 40 provinces across Thailand, with the main Bangkok parade scheduled for June 1st. A new global campaign, 'Thailand: Equality & Excellence in Health', aims to harness this inclusive image, linking Thailand's medical expertise with its marriage equality law to attract health tourists and the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Ambitious 2034 Vision The comprehensive strategic plan for developing Thailand into an International Health Centre (Wellness and Medical Service Hub) for 2025-2034 received unanimous approval at a recent board meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong. By 2034, Thailand aims to be a global hub for integrated international health and the medical industry, achieving sustainable growth in its health economic value. This ambitious goal will be pursued through six dedicated sub-committees. The Medical Service Hub Sub-Committee is specifically tasked with promoting four key service areas: health and aesthetic medicine, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), gender-affirming care, and dental services for international patients. Other sub-committees will focus on areas such as wellness services, medical product development, academic excellence, health conventions, and streamlining business operations for health service providers. A survey from 2021-2022 indicated that the average cost for gender-affirming surgery at private hospitals in Thailand is around 480,000 Baht per person. More specifically, male-to-female (MTF) procedures average approximately 300,000 Baht (around $US 9,234), while female-to-male (FTM) surgeries are around 1,000,000 Baht (around $US 30,780). Supporting measures for this drive include ensuring equal access to health services for all, providing specialised LGBTQ+ health services, strategically linking medical tourism with the marriage equality framework, and funding research and innovation in high-value medical fields such as hormone therapy. The overarching strategy aims to foster a complete medical ecosystem, streamline business operations for health service providers, and promote Thailand's advanced medical research, all contributing to its vision as a pre-eminent international health destination. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Group of Malaysians fined in Hat Yai for illegal racing
SONGKHLA: Ten Malaysian tourists were fined by Thai police for dangerous driving in Hat Yai district on Friday (May 16) night. The group, comprising six men and four women aged between 21 and 37, were believed to be involved in illegal street racing near the Greenway Bazaar area, following complaints from local residents. Kohong Hat Yai Police Chief, Col. Apichat Wannako, said the incident occurred around 1:30 am. Police received reports from concerned residents about road safety in the area. "Upon receiving the complaints, police conducted an investigation and found that six Malaysian-registered cars, which had been modified, were used in reckless driving. With the help of CCTV footage, police were able to identify and track down the suspects,' he told reporters on Sunday. According to Apichat, all the suspects admitted to the offence and paid a fine of 5,000 Baht each before being released on Sunday. He also reminded tourists to abide by Thai laws to avoid legal consequences. - Bernama
