{
  "id": 5478004,
  "title": "Friend-for-hire services gain traction in Thailand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/friend-for-hire-services-gain-traction-in-thailand",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T02:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Bangkok Post",
    "slug": "bangkok-post",
    "url": "https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/3313889/friendforhire-services-gain-traction-in-thailand"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Friend-for-hire services have gained popularity in Thailand, driven by societal changes such as an aging population and increasing numbers of unmarried individuals. These services offer companionship for various activities, including travel, photography, and indoor rock climbing. Although there are no official statistics, industry experts note a rising demand due to more people living alone, evolving lifestyles, and social media influence. In 2025, 29.5% of Thai households were single-person households, surpassing the global average.\n\nUniversity student Ainthuon Rattanawaraporn discovered the service out of curiosity but found it beneficial for solving the issue of friends being too busy to join her on trips. She could request specific photo angles and compositions, freeing her from bothering friends for photos. Another provider, Thanaporn Charoenchuea, has served over 50 clients with her \"Snap Like a Bestie\" service, focusing on creating comfortable environments for clients to facilitate natural-looking photos. The biggest challenge, she says, is ensuring all clients have a positive experience.\n\nPenkawin Wangniwetkul, known as Ice, began her career in television and later transitioned to companionship services after relatives suggested she accompany elderly women on outings. She now offers various activities such as running, gym workouts, spa visits, and indoor rock climbing. Ice emphasizes safety, turning down requests that may compromise her well-being or make her uncomfortable. Despite growing demand, she remains selective about her bookings and screens clients through their social media accounts. Sociologist Narupon Duangwises suggests that while providing emotional comfort for lonely individuals, these services differ from traditional friendships due to the ability to choose companions based on physical appearance.",
  "summary": "\"Friend-for-hire\" services have started taking off in Thailand as the country's social landscape changes with an aging population and a rise in the number of unmarried people.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}