Discovering Thailand’s Arcade Scene: Palm Fun’s Journey Through Bangkok’s Game Venues

When people think of Thailand, they picture golden temples, tropical beaches, and delicious street food, not necessarily amusement machines and arcade games. But behind the country's famous travel charm lies a fascinating and evolving entertainment market that's just starting to shine.

During our visit to TAAPE 2025 in Bangkok (https://www.palm-fun.com/article/strong-market-response-for-palmfun-at-taape-2025-bangkok.html), the Palm Fun team decided to explore the local amusement scene firsthand.  Over a few exciting days, we visited several popular arcades around the city and discovered how Thai players enjoy their fun.

Stop 1 – October 17, Friday: HERO CITY in COSMO BAZAAR

Our first destination was HERO CITY, located on the 3rd floor of COSMO BAZAAR and operated by Thailand's HHM Group. The 400-square-meter venue offered a good mix of games, from claw machines to simulation games and kids' games.

Because the mall sits in Bangkok's outskirts and we visited on a weekday, it was relatively quiet. Yet, the diversity of machines (around 70 in total) gave us a glimpse of how Thai arcades balance variety and nostalgia.

Stop 2 – October 18, Saturday: Let’s Play in MBK Center

The next morning, we moved to the bustling city center to visit Let's Play, another HHM Group venue inside the iconic MBK Center.

Even though MBK was packed with shoppers, the arcade itself was calm and comfortable, making it an ideal place for families and casual players. The bright décor and vibrant layout immediately caught our attention. We were happy to see popular machines such as Tata Island, Emoji, and MaiMai in perfect working condition. The whole venue felt clean, modern, and well cared for.

Stop 3 – October 18, Saturday: EX10 MUSICPOD in MBK Center

Just a few steps away, we found ourselves at EX10 MUSICPOD, operated by ECHO Group. If you love rhythm games, this place is paradise.

The walls pulsed with music from MaiMai and Konami. Players were fully immersed, tapping and moving to the beat, proof that music games have a strong following among Thailand's younger generation.

EX10 also featured over ten private KTV booths, where groups of friends could sing and relax together. Despite its compact space, the energy was high and the atmosphere electric. It's easy to see why EX10 has become a gathering place for music game enthusiasts in Bangkok.

Stop 4 – October 18, Saturday: Joyliday in The Mall Bangkapi

Our next stop, Joyliday, brought us to one of Bangkok's busiest shopping destinations — The Mall Bangkapi. Operated by Family Amusement, Joyliday focuses on younger customers, and it was packed with cheerful families when we arrived.

Covering around 150 square meters, the arcade is filled with colorful children's games, crane machines, and a well-stocked prize redemption counter. Thanks to the mall's huge visitor flow, Joyliday was constantly buzzing.

Stop 5 – October 19, Sunday: SANOOK in Big C Place Bang Phli

On our final day, we headed to Big C Place Bang Phli, where we visited SANOOK, operated by CD-TREE Group.

This venue combines a small arcade zone with a soft play area, attracting many parents and kids. The arcade section had only about ten machines, but to our delight, we spotted our Palm Fun “AstroLOLogy” pusher game there, and it seemed quite popular among the children!

What We Learned
After several days of exploration, one thing became clear.  Thailand’s amusement game market is full of potential.

Most venues still focus on children and family play, with fun experiences at their core.

Rhythm and racing games dominate among teenagers and young adults, reflecting Thailand's lively and social culture.

Crane and ticket redemption machines face stricter regulations due to local Buddhist influences, but creativity and adaptation are driving steady growth.

Although the market is still developing, the trend is unmistakable. Thailand’s amusement scene is on the rise. Malls are thriving, players are becoming more diverse, and game centers are evolving to meet new expectations.

At Palm Fun, we're inspired by what we've seen. As we continue to expand across Southeast Asia, we look forward to bringing more innovative, joy-filled redemption games to players everywhere, and to being part of the next chapter of Thailand's growing amusement industry.