A new kind of gig economy booms in an increasingly solo society, offering companionship for photoshoots, travel and fitness
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenKyodoPublished: 9:42am, 3 Sep 2026“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 available, industry players say demand for professional companions has increased in recent years due to the rise in people living alone, changing lifestyles and the influence of social media.
According to global market research company Euromonitor International, 29.5 per cent of Thai households were single-person households in 2025, exceeding the global average of 21.9 per cent. And that growing segment has created rising demand for products and services designed for independent living, such as single-seat restaurant tables and solo travel.
For many clients, however, the motivation for hiring a companion is convenience rather than loneliness.
Ainthuon Rattanawaraporn, a university student and content creator from Bangkok, said she initially used the service out of curiosity but soon found it solved a problem – friends were sometimes too busy to come with her on trips but she was not yet comfortable travelling alone.
