Esports Education Finds a Home in Thailand, Launched from Pattaya
Across Thailand, a new kind of classroom is taking shape; one where teamwork, focus and communication are learned through the language of gaming. At the centre of that movement is Squid Esports (Thailand), the exclusive regional distributor of Squid Academy (UK), whose internationally accredited esports curriculum and technology are used by schools and universities around the world. From its base in Pattaya, the Squid team is helping redefine what esports can mean for young people: not only competition, but community, confidence and clear pathways into the modern digital economy.
That philosophy connects three strands of work already under way. There is player development at the Squid Esports Training Pod in Pattaya; there is classroom learning now running in schools throughout Chonburi and Khon Kaen, with the first international school, Mooltripakdee International School (MIS), due to launch next month; and there is higher education, with a leading university in Bangkok preparing to open the country’s first credit-bearing esports course focused on the business of esports. Together, these strands show that gaming can be guided, measured and taught with the same seriousness as any other subject.
The Pod: Training Like a Pro
Nestled inside Wonderspace Pattaya, just off Highway 7, students aged ten and up joingroup training sessions at the Squid Esports Training Pod, Thailand’s first dedicated esports training facility. Here, competitive play is approached with the structure of sport. Sessions combine technical drills, scrimmages and tactical reviews with lessons on posture, recovery, mindset and communication. The goal is simple: to teach young players how to train like professionals, sustainably and as part of a team.
“When my daughter Emma joined, I assumed she would just improve at the game,” says Rob, a Pod parent. “What I did not expect was the change in confidence. She is calmer, more focused and handles challenges at school better too.” Students progress at their own pace and learn the same values that define traditional athletics; consistency, composure and respect for the process – now applied to a digital arena.
As the program expands, Squid Esports (Thailand) also advises schools, hotels and entertainment venues on designing and building professional LAN centres that meet international standards for performance and hospitality. These spaces can host training, leagues and accredited education under one roof, helping venues turn gaming into a structured, community-driven experience.
“She’s calmer, more focused and handles challenges at school better too.”
– Rob, Pod Parent
High School Esports: Learning the Industry from Every Angle
Beyond player coaching, Squid Esports (Thailand) works directly with schools to deliver a holistic, accredited curriculum that introduces students to the full world of esports. Across Thailand, students learn the foundations of major titles while exploring the many roles that make the industry function, including broadcasting, coaching, team management, event production, marketing and digital wellbeing.
These programs align closely with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), whose mission to strengthen digital literacy and innovation in education has guided much of Squid’s national rollout. Together, these collaborations are helping bridge the gap between youth engagement and Thailand’s fast-growing digital economy. Teachers and partners are already seeing the results. Jetsada Pilathong of Muang Pattaya 11 School notes that structured esports study has improved students’ discipline, teamwork and time management, while parents’ attitudes shift once they see the focus behind the play. In the northeast, Apicha Kittisuwan, President of Focus Arena, has partnered with local education offices to align delivery with international standards so that students gain real, transferable skills for future study and work.
University Level: The
Business of Esports
The next step arrives early next year when a leading university in Bangkok launches Thailand’s first credit-based esports program, together
with Squid Esports (Thailand). The course examines the business of esports, from sponsorship and event operations to marketing and team management, bridging academic study with industry practice.
“We are excited to be part of something that is breaking new ground in Thailand,” says a professor at the university. “This is not just a course; it is a step toward recognising esports as a serious academic and career pathway. We are proud to help make that history.”
Thailand’s Esports Future
While Pattaya is where Squid Esports (Thailand) first began its work, the vision extends far beyond one city. From evening practice sessions at the Pod to accredited lessons in classrooms and the upcoming university course in Bangkok, each initiative contributes to a national framework for esports education that blends structure, responsibility and opportunity.
These program sit within Thailand’s broader digital vision, supported by forward-thinking partners such as the Chonburi Esports Association and DEPA, both of which are helping position the country as a regional leader in digital learning and creative technology. As Methee Juesuwan of the Chonburi Esports Association explains, “Our goal is to make Chonburi the Wembley of Esports — a centre for world-class tournaments and opportunities for young talent.”
Step by step, this collaboration between educators, developers and government bodies is transforming how young people learn, train and connect. What once began as gaming is now a guided pathway into the digital economy, preparing students for the industries of tomorrow while strengthening Thailand’s global reputation for innovation. Schools, universities, venues and organisations interested in joining this growing movement can connect with Squid Esports (Thailand) to explore training, accredited program and facility design consultation.
Together with national partners, the team is helping Thailand build the future of digital education — one player, one classroom and one centre at a time.
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