{
  "id": 5224137,
  "title": "From gym workouts to shopping, Thailand’s friend-for-hire does it all for a fee",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/from-gym-workouts-to-shopping-thailands-friend-for-hire-does-it-all",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T01:42:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3366165/gym-workouts-shopping-thailands-friend-hire-does-it-all-fee"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "“Friend-for-hire” services have started taking off in Thailand as the country’s social landscape changes with an ageing population and a rise in the number of unmarried people. The service is a new type of gig work in which people are paid to act as companions, for instance accompanying someone on a trip to take photos or even joining them in indoor rock climbing. Although no official figures are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Friend-for-hire services gain traction in Thailand",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/friend-for-hire-services-gain-traction-in-thailand",
        "published": "2026-09-03T03:30:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}