Thailand

Bangkok, the Land of Smiles is a bustling city brimming with opportunities. Strategically located, it is the gateway to the Greater Mekong Region Subregion (GMS), making the city a preferred destination for start-ups in Southeast Asia.

The start-up scene in Bangkok has evolved over the years. There is a notable surge in start-up activity, due to - rising government support, cost-effective living, enhanced incentives, and access to networking opportunities. With these factors, it is not surprising that Bangkok offers an abundance of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Some of the notable start-ups that we may be familiar with are: Agoda, Eatigo and Pomelo. To date, three Bangkok start-ups have attained unicorn status – Flash Express, Ascend Money and BitKub.

The Thai government has launched Thailand 4.0 which aims to transform the economy focusing on industries such as Automation and Robotics, Aviation and Logistics, Biofuels and Biochemicals, and Digital and Medical Hub which are pivotal as the country’s new growth engines.

Alongside Thailand 4.0, Thai government agencies also rolled out initiatives to encourage start-ups in Bangkok and to brand the country as ‘Innovation Thailand’ positioning Bangkok as an innovation hub in ASEAN. The key industries in Thailand’s start-up innovative ecosystem include e-commerce, FinTech, InsurTech and Agritech.

Students taking up an experiential internship program in Bangkok will be presented with the opportunity to work with entrepreneurial founders, in diverse industries which include Agritech and Logistic Tech. Students will gain invaluable knowledge, explore their entrepreneurial aspiration and become future-ready in their entrepreneurial journey.

NOC Bangkok is a 6-month programme. The first intake will commence in January 2023 and the recruitment will begin in August 2022.

Ready to apply and embark on your journey with us to witness its growth in the region?

Sign up now to discover the opportunities and experiences of this diverse city. (Not forgetting a weekend escape to the nearby beaches too!)

Video Credits: Thailand Startup Ecosystem (pre-COVID)

Video Credits: Thailand Startup in Post COVID Era 2022

Programme Structure

The 6-month programme at NOC Thailand has the following features:

Full-time internship in a start-up;
Entrepreneurship courses on a part-time basis organised by the National University of Singapore in collaboration with international educators with deep start-up experience;
Opportunities to attend events organised by the start-up ecosystem in Vietnam and activities hosted by the partner University;
Mid-term and final internship presentations by students and evaluations by an internship assessor;
Students form teams and make business pitches to a NUS panel at the end of the programme.

The 3-month programme at NOC Thailand has the following features:

Full-time internship in a start-up;
Entrepreneurship courses on a part-time basis organised by the National University of Singapore in collaboration with international educators with deep start-up experience;
Opportunities to attend events organised by the start-up ecosystem in Vietnam and activities hosted by the partner University;
Final internship presentations by students and evaluations by an internship assessor.

Academic Details

The NOC Thailand (Bangkok 6-month) programme is credit-bearing and students will receive up to 22 units.

NOC Components	Units (Max)
Internship courses	16
Entrepreneurship course	4
ETP2271 Discovering Resilience and Purpose	2
Total	22

The NOC Thailand (Bangkok 3-month) programme is similarly credit-bearing and students will receive up to 8 units.

NOC Components	Units (Max)
Internship course	6
ETP2271 Discovering Resilience and Purpose	2
Total	8

Click here for detailed programme curriculum.

Financial Details

While on the programme, students continue to pay regular tuition fees to NUS. Students receive an NOC scholarship/allowance to supplement their living costs while overseas. Students will be paid monthly stipends from their internship companies. Programme costs will be borne by NOC while additional personal expenditures for recreational and other individual lifestyle expenses are expected to be borne by programme participants.

NUS Overseas Colleges will provide the following:

Internship assessor (for 3 and 6-month courses) and mentor (for 6-month course only) costs
NUS student travel insurance
Return economy air ticket
Immigration visa fees

Alumni Voices

Elise Lim Jia Jing

NOC Thailand Alumna | May 2024 Intake
College of Humanities and Sciences | Psychology

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." -- Aristotle. When I embarked on NOC Thailand, I didn’t just learn about entrepreneurship -- I lived it. I had the incredible opportunity to develop two software products from scratch and be involved in the early stages of starting a business. This hands-on experience has profoundly shaped my understanding of the startup ecosystem. Under the mentorship of our boss, I also gained insights into his entrepreneurship journey, especially on how he turned unmet needs into innovative solutions for SMEs. This journey has deepened my understanding of what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up and has brought me closer to my goal of making a positive impact in underserved communities.

Yuan Tianyi

NOC Thailand Alumnus | May 2024 Intake
School of Computing | Business Analytics

My internship at Laconic Technology Co., Ltd. through the NOC Thailand program has been quite the incredible journey of learning and growth. I worked primarily on developing a new platform where I had the opportunity to design and develop product features independently, applying the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) from start to finish. A key highlight of my time at Laconic was experiencing the company’s vibrant culture, which emphasises on community, inclusivity, and innovation. I participated in Laconic’s volunteering trip in rural Kanchanaburi to interact with local students, which showed the company’s commitment to social responsibility. The frequent team bonding activities also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, giving the company a homely feel. Living in Bangkok further enriched my journey, as the city's vibrant street markets, historic temples, and the friendliness of the Thai locals added a unique cultural depth to my internship. I am grateful for the connections and relationships that I have built during this experience.

Nerissa Ng Zi Ning

NOC Thailand Alumna | May 2024 Intake
NUS Business School | BBA

I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a dynamic environment dedicated to promoting health equity and well-being across Southeast Asia. As a Communications Intern at UGHW, I worked closely with a team that was not only inspiring but also deeply committed to establishing networks of healthy cities. This experience enriched my entrepreneurial mindset, teaching me to think strategically and creatively about problem-solving and scalability in health services. I am immensely grateful for the mentorship and insights gained during my time here. The skills and perspectives I acquired are invaluable assets as I continue my journey in health and social entrepreneurship.

Bryan Tan Yong Sheng

NOC Thailand Alumnus | May 2024 Intake
College of Design and Engineering | Industrial and Systems Engineering

My time with HDmall during NOC Thailand was incredibly rewarding, both in terms of skill development and gaining a strong entrepreneurial mindset. Working closely with the co-founders, I saw firsthand how strategic decisions are made with an eye on scaling within Southeast Asia.

Attending conferences and networking events across Bangkok, I connected with a diverse group of local and international entrepreneurs, which broadened my perspective on the global startup ecosystem as I learnt about the different factors at play such as legal jurisdictions, technological trends, global economy etc.

Overall, I am extremely grateful to have been able to be a part of NOC Thailand as it has inspired me to think out of the box and push my limits.The friendships and insights I gained have also been invaluable, and I’m excited to bring these experiences back to Singapore as I continue my entrepreneurial journey.