#43: Thailand: More Than Just A Holiday Destination?
How did Jean’s experience interning in a startup in Bangkok reshape her understanding of Thailand and help her become a more confident person?
Welcome to SEAmplified’s newsletter, empowering youths to explore what’s possible in Southeast Asia!
Reading time: 7 minutes
For frequent travelers, Thailand needs no introduction.
From affordable food to beaches and temples, Thailand is widely known as a traveler’s paradise.
But did you know that Thailand is an emerging startup hub? The kingdom attracted a US$500 million investment in tech late last year, and embarked on a “Thailand 4.0” strategy to drive technological innovation in a wide range of industries from e-commerce, foodtech, and creative industries.
With its emerging startup scene, more young professionals and students are looking to gain firsthand experience in Thailand’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
One of them is Jean, a final-year Mathematical Science student from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
Like Ronaldo, she embarked on NTU’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program (OEP) in Thailand for six months in 2024, which aims to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in students through attachments to startup ecosystems across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Q. Why did you choose to go to Thailand?
I was pursuing Thai Language Level 4 at NTU as part of the requirements for a Minor in Modern Languages, and I saw this as a perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the language beyond the classroom.
I felt that engaging with locals in everyday conversations would allow me to enhance my fluency in Thai and gain a more authentic grasp of the language.
Aside from that, my love for Thai entertainment—its captivating series, vibrant music—has long drawn me to the country.
Thailand has always been my favorite travel destination, so even before this internship, I found myself frequently returning to its bustling cities.
I have always admired Thailand’s “sabaay sabaay” way of life, a philosophy that embraces relaxation and a positive outlook. Coming from the fast-paced environment of Singapore, experiencing this laid-back culture was both refreshing and inspiring.
So this internship was more than just fulfilling an academic requirement; it was a chance to deepen my connection with a country that already felt like a second home.
Q. What did you intern as?
I interned as a Marketing Intern at ThaiHand Massage Co. Ltd, a Bangkok-based startup dedicated to helping massage and spa business owners digitize their operations.
The company also runs 3-hour Thai Massage Workshops on authentic Thai massage techniques.
My role primarily revolved around content creation and strategic marketing to enhance the visibility of these workshops.
I led video production and editing efforts and crafted engaging promotional content that highlighted the workshop’s unique value. This not only increased audience engagement but also contributed to a surge in workshop bookings.
I also received positive feedback from customers after I introduced a Thai inhaler-making workshop to them.
I worked closely with influencers to promote the company’s booking app and massage workshops. I was also able to facilitate collaborations with content creators, including Taiwanese YouTuber @9deefoodie, who specializes in Bangkok travel and food recommendations.
Our collaboration resulted in strong engagement, as reflected in the performance of her personalized promo code.
I also helped to translate company blogs into Chinese, expanding the company’s reach to more customers and increasing awareness of traditional Thai massage.
Q. What was your impression of Thailand before and after your internship?
Before OEP, I only knew Thailand from a tourist’s point of view.
My visits were short, filled with stops at popular attractions, and lacked in-depth understanding.
I never tried connecting with locals, and I also had safety concerns—especially as a female solo traveler.
But my OEP experience in Bangkok completely changed my perspective and reshaped my understanding of the people and their way of life.
Living and working there made me realize that the city isn’t just safe but also an incredibly welcoming and vibrant place.
Being able to uncover affordable, lesser-known spots that only locals frequent was also an eye-opening experience for me. I was able to escape the tourist crowds at an affordable price.
The Thai people’s warmth and hospitality also stood out to me, and so did their emphasis on work-life balance—a refreshing contrast to Singapore’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Despite the slower rhythm, productivity remains high.
Q. What were some challenges and takeaways from your internship experience in Bangkok?
Although I studied Thai, the language barrier remained one of my biggest challenges when working.
My colleagues often burst out laughing over a joke, while I sat there clueless. But their kindness always shone through—they would patiently translate jokes into English so I wouldn’t feel left out. These small gestures made me appreciate the warmth and inclusivity of the Thai people.
Adjusting to life in a new country was also challenging.
Simple things like getting a data plan, securing accommodation, and cooking my own meals became daily hurdles.
I also had to budget carefully. I nearly ran out of money two months into my stay.
The whole experience pushed me to be independent, to step out of my comfort zone, and to rely on myself instead of my family.
But once I found my rhythm, I grew to love life in Thailand even more than I did in Singapore.
One of my biggest takeaways was discovering Thailand’s thrilling yet highly efficient mode of transport: motorbike taxis.
Before OEP, I would watch in awe and slight fear as locals weaved through Bangkok’s chaotic traffic at high speeds.
And I once swore that I’d never get on one.
But after six months, hopping onto a motorbike taxi became part of my daily routine—and my favorite part of the day. The speed, the convenience, and the rush of adrenaline made it an experience I now deeply miss.
I also really enjoyed making friends with the locals.
They are the true key to unlocking Thailand’s best-kept secrets—places that can’t be found anywhere online.
And if you enjoy nightlife, Thailand is the place to be. No matter who you’re with, the vibrant bar scene, affordable drinks, and lively atmosphere make for unforgettable nights.
Q. How did your internship help you grow an entrepreneurial mindset?
My internship gave me a firsthand experience of working in a startup, which is a crucial stepping stone for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Working closely with the founders of the company, I gained valuable insights into the challenges of building a business from the ground up.
One of the biggest lessons came from their experiences in securing investors to reach the post-revenue stage.
They faced multiple failed investment strategies, but instead of seeing failure as an endpoint, they treated it as a learning experience. This taught me that entrepreneurs must take calculated risks, make bold decisions, and remain persistent despite setbacks.
Most importantly, I learned the importance of bouncing back quickly and adapting to change—a mindset that separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.
Beyond financial challenges for a startup entrepreneur, I also learned how great business ideas stem from identifying market gaps.
The founders frequently shared their experiences of identifying unmet needs in the Thai massage industry and transforming them into viable business opportunities.
Their approach inspired me to think outside the box, challenge traditional methods, and constantly seek innovative and creative ways to improve existing products, services, and processes.
Q. Why should students consider an internship in Southeast Asia?
I think one of the biggest advantages is the significantly lower cost of living.
Accommodation, food, and transport are much more affordable, and you wouldn’t be losing out on the quality of life.
In Bangkok, an intern can rent a luxurious condo with top-tier amenities for the same price as a basic university hostel room in Singapore. This means that you’re able to live comfortably without breaking the bank.
More importantly, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world, especially in tech and entrepreneurship. Interns (like me) will get to take on larger responsibilities, contribute to change and growth, and make a real impact, especially in startups where innovation is highly valued.
My internship in Bangkok allowed me to work closely with industry leaders, take ownership of projects and experience a dynamic work environment, unlike large corporations with rigid structures.
Southeast Asia also allows for work-life balance. We’re able to travel and explore breathtaking destinations a short train ride away at affordable prices
Southeast Asia isn’t just a destination to enhance your career, it’s also a region for cost-effective adventures!
It’s amazing to know that Jean’s experience in Bangkok has enabled her to navigate challenges in a foreign country and become a more independent person.
More importantly, this opportunity gave her a chance to learn directly from industry leaders and entrepreneurs, take ownership, and contribute actively to projects.
Growth isn’t just about career advancement but also about embracing an entrepreneurial mindset by spotting opportunities and finding creative solutions to innovate and adapt.
Jean’s internship was made possible through NTU’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program (OEP), which offers NTU students the chance to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience in global innovation hubs.
Students intern at tech startups, work closely with founders, and build valuable business connections—all while receiving funding of up to S$10,000. They get to acquire a global perspective with the skills needed to launch their business ventures.
And if you’re worried about the language barrier, don’t worry. Jean’s experience has highlighted that locals can be incredibly welcoming as long as you take the initiative to mingle and adapt to the local way of life!
This edition is brought to you by Nanyang Technological University’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program.
Enjoyed today’s article? Follow SEAmplified on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for more exciting and exclusive content, hit the subscribe button, and tell us how we did in the poll below!
Have a new idea or lead for a story, feedback on our work, or just want to say hi? Email us at hello@seamplified.com.