Thailand has seen immense growth in the technology sector in the past couple of years, with a greater focus being put on augmented and virtual reality.
While some still think that Thailand lacks infrastructure and developer experience, there are big companies from around the world that have seen the real potential of the country and thus have begun to invest and explore the possibilities. VR and AR haven’t only been used in the gaming or entertainment sector.
We have seen big steps toward improving and elevating other industries, including tourism and education. Even Thai online casino technology is slowly merging with these two sectors.
If you want to get to know the latest virtual and augmented reality trends in Thailand, which big companies are seriously investing in multiple sectors, and some of the products and services that are providing new opportunities for the country, continue reading this article.
Metaverse
Using virtual reality, the Metaverse is a world where you can connect, explore, work, play, and interact with others. There is a slight misconception of the Metaverse today, with people thinking it is just for tech developers or gamers; however, the possibilities are endless. Thailand, in the past couple of years, has become a huge hub for virtual reality, and users have welcomed the Metaverse with open arms. The VR and AR revenue in Thailand is projected to reach around $197.20 million by the end of 2023. Plus, if we include projections of a revenue annual growth rate of 15.31%, we can see that by 2027 the revenue of VR and AR may come to around $348.60 million.
With more and more investments coming from around the world, Thai businesses are starting to use the Metaverse to create special experiences and even promote their business. What’s even more interesting is that Thai people are among the most active users of the Metaverse. In fact, by the end of 2027, the number of users can go as high as 26.31 million.
Rediscover Thailand
Back in November 2022, Meta, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Creative Economy Agency in Thailand, the Thailand Creative and Design Center, numerous Meta Spark AR creators from Thailand, and Holowisp, launched “Rediscover Thailand.” The campaign is an augmented reality experience where people can discover some of Thailand’s best tourist attractions.
Five Thai members of the Meta Spark AR community worked to design, create, and develop numerous AR effects. The developers Sufee Yama, Wanisara Chompoorat, Pansavuth Khehasukcharoen, Keetapol Boonprachak, and Opas Sang-ue created an experience where people can check out various Thai regions and take in the multiple cultural highlights.
Anyone using AR tech can do a lot of exciting things, such as:
- Experience the Nora dances of the South,
- Check out the Bo Sang Umbrella Village in the North,
- Visit the Bung Bang Fai Rocket Festival,
- Interact and design Loei's Phi Ta Khon masks from the Phi Ta Khon Festival,
- Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, the temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
The co-founder of Holowisp, which is an AR development agency in Thailand, has said that with this project, people from around the world will not only be allowed to check out some of the destinations that Thailand has to offer but also experience the culture and traditions of various regions.
At the “Rediscover Thailand” exhibition, Lerchart Thamtheerasathian, who is the director of knowledge development at the Creative Economy Agency in Thailand, also put emphasis on Meta’s help in building this world. He stated the fact that Meta has immensely contributed to helping Thai AR developers show their skills, increase awareness of new technology, and even boost Thai tourism.
Moving Forward
“Rediscover Thailand” is just a small peek into the involvement that Meta has in the country. In addition to this AR project, Meta announced a skills-building workshop for more than 70 AR creators and developers, which will help grow the Meta Spark Global Creator community. With projects like this, Thailand continues to develop and grow its economy, providing more opportunities for businesses, communities, and individuals. The Metaverse platform enables more connections to be made, provides more opportunities, and can boost various Thai industry sectors.
For the past couple of years, the Thai government has been backing up numerous tech initiatives that can benefit the country, communities, and individuals. With the proper support, even if new technology like AR and VR is slowly implemented in the country, more and more people are starting to get interested. VR and AR will only continue to evolve, and Thailand can be at the forefront of these technological trends.
Final Thoughts
Virtual and augmented reality have been gaining significant momentum in Thailand, with the country becoming a major hub for VR and AR technology. The Metaverse has opened up numerous possibilities for various industries, including tourism and education, and has seen massive user engagement from Thai people.
With more investments pouring into the country, businesses are now leveraging AR and VR to create unique experiences and promote their offerings. Meta's “Rediscover Thailand” campaign is a prime example of how AR can be used to showcase the country's tourist attractions and cultural highlights. The Thai government has been supportive of tech initiatives that can benefit the country, and as VR and AR continue to evolve, Thailand can stay at the forefront of these technological trends.
With projected revenue growth rates, the VR and AR industry in Thailand is expected to reach new heights in the coming years, creating more opportunities for businesses, communities, and individuals.
