Greetings, Gamemeca readers. It's Ryunan here with your Arcade Tour. It is the first time I am addressing you in 2026, so a slightly belated Happy New Year to you all; I wish you health and prosperity. I truly hope we can continue to enjoy these arcade adventures together throughout this year.

Last December, I visited Thailand for the first time in my life. While I have covered arcades in Vietnam—also part of Southeast Asia—I was curious about the local flavour of Thai arcade culture. Naturally, I sought out a major centre. Today’s Arcade Tour takes us to a gaming hub in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis with a population of 10 million, much like Seoul. Its beating heart is an area called 'Siam'. This district is packed with jaw-droppingly massive shopping malls and a tide of foot traffic that never seems to ebb. It is a dizzying, neon-soaked labyrinth. And it is near Siam Station that we find our destination.

A ten-minute walk from Siam Station brings you to the MBK Center. The scale of this mall makes typical local shopping centres look like miniature models; its exterior is dazzling, and it is so wide that you cannot even see the other end. You could spend an entire day exploring every corner and still fall short. Our destination is tucked away somewhere inside this behemoth.

Let’s head up to the 7th floor via the escalator. The navigation here is a bit of a maze, with convoluted paths that make the simple act of finding an escalator a challenge in itself. If you exercise a bit of patience and reach the 7th floor...

Ta-da! The neon cyan signage of our target comes into view. This is 'EX10 MUSICPOD', the largest and most renowned arcade in the heart of Bangkok’s Siam district. Let’s dive in and see what games are on offer.

First, we need to address the payment system. Peculiarly, much like the arcades I visited in Qingdao, China, playing with physical coins is impossible here. Every machine has its coin slot sealed shut, replaced by a contactless card reader. You will need a 'gameplay card' to get started.

In Thailand, the largest coin denomination is 10 Baht, roughly 460 KRW. Given that we often use 500 KRW coins at home, a coin-operated system would seem viable, but there are likely reasons for the switch—perhaps to curb counterfeit currency or reduce the hassle of coin changers. You can purchase your card at the staff-manned 'BONANZA' counter inside.

Tell the staff you want to purchase a card for gaming (English usually works, or just use a translator). They will hand you the card shown in the photo. Just tell them how much you want to top up, hand over the cash, and you are set. To pay for a game, simply tap the card on the reader. I didn't need to pay a deposit; I just loaded the minimum equivalent of one credit, which was 30 Baht.

Let's survey the floor. Since Thailand has official releases of Konami’s BEMANI series and SEGA’s rhythm titles, the arcade’s core lineup is heavily focused on rhythm games. Near the entrance, you will find Konami’s Dance Rush Stardom and a 'Dance Dance Revolution 20th Anniversary Gold Cabinet'—a rarity back home—each with one unit. The DDR machine even comes equipped with a fan. A round costs 30 Baht (approx. 1,400 KRW) for Lite mode or 40 Baht (approx. 1,880 KRW) for Premium/Standard mode. Compared to local prices, it is quite expensive, roughly on par with or pricier than South Korean rates.

The undisputed king of rhythm games in Thailand is undoubtedly SEGA’s MaiMai. Much like in Taiwan, it boasts the largest and most active player base. The version running here is the common Asian release, identical to the one in South Korea, meaning you can use your domestic MaiMai card to jump right in. There are four units, all bustling with players.

Following MaiMai, SEGA’s other flagship rhythm title, 'CHUNITHM', is running the latest Asian version, 'VERSE', to great acclaim. There are four units, and they are fully compatible with Korean game cards.

Next is Konami’s Beatmania IIDX. Two units of the latest version, 33.SPARKLE SHOWER, are running on top-of-the-line Lightning cabinets. While I am not sure when they began official distribution, they only stock these modern machines. Following the same setup as Korea, there is no Lite mode; it is Standard only. Price is 30 Baht for Standard and 60 Baht for Premium Free mode.

To the left of Beatmania IIDX, two Sound Voltex Valkyrie models are in operation. Pricing is 30 Baht for Lite and 40 Baht for Standard. Again, no outdated models here; they have updated to the 7th instalment, 'NABLA'.

For Beatmania IIDX and Sound Voltex, there is a designated whiteboard for queues behind the machines. If there is a line, just write your name and wait your turn. No need for Thai; I saw remnants of English names from past sessions.

Tucked away inside, I found a Gitadora series 'Arena Model' session. As this is one of the most recent BEMANI cabinets and quite rare even in Korea, I was genuinely surprised. It is clear that Thai arcades are keeping pace with the latest global releases.

Opposite the IIDX and Sound Voltex machines, two 'Shin Taiko no Tatsujin' units are running. They are also on the Asian version, matching the Korean release. No one was playing during my visit, but I am curious to see if it commands the same cult following it has in Japan.

Let’s move away from rhythm games. While the 'MUSICPOD' signage suggests a heavy focus on music, it is actually a comprehensive arcade. The most striking addition is the racing genre: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 6 RR, with a whopping eight units (four sets) running side-by-side.

Initial D is a must-have. Just left of the staff counter, I found two sets (four units) of 'Initial D THE ARCADE', a version that sadly never saw an official release in Korea. Watching the locals play it freely filled me with a touch of envy. The manga may have ended ages ago, but the game is very much alive. A couple of punch machines sit right next to it.

This arcade also features a 'KARAOKE' zone. Unlike the coin-operated booths common in Korea, this operates like a traditional karaoke bar where you pay at a dedicated counter. It seems to cost 100 Baht (approx. 4,630 KRW) for 30 minutes. They even sell soft drinks, energy drinks, and bottled water at the same counter.

There are quite a few karaoke booths. They stretch out into a terrace corridor outside the main floor, each numbered, allowing you to settle the bill at the counter and head to your room.

The booths are surprisingly spacious, easily accommodating four people without feeling cramped. Instead of a standard remote, you use a PC under the monitor to reserve songs. There are songbooks and mics ready. And for those with a keen eye—did you notice the Korean word 'Saranghae' (I love you) written on the wall? Perhaps a testament to the K-Pop craze.

We have toured Bangkok’s 'EX10 MUSICPOD' together. Compared to my visit to Qingdao, China, some might feel that the prevalence of familiar games makes it feel 'not much different from home'. But having these games available is proof that they are right on the cutting edge of trends. I had expected to find a lot of ancient hardware or Chinese knock-offs, but I was wrong; the facility was armed with the latest versions, arguably surpassing many arcades in Korea. While smaller shops might differ, this is the state of the major arcades in Siam. Regardless of nationality, I hope this article conveyed that we are all connected by our shared passion for games.

(As I did not find any notable local eateries worth recommending during this pilgrimage, I have omitted the food section.)