Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) is set to ignite the nation’s burgeoning esports scene with the highly anticipated depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament) this Friday, 30 May, at BEAT Active, BITEC BURI. This flagship event will serve as a crucial platform for 16 of the country’s most promising emerging esports teams, representing champions from regional competitions, to showcase their talents, vie for a significant prize pool, and take their first definitive steps into the professional esports industry. More broadly, the tournament and the overarching depa ESPORTS project aim to be a significant catalyst in driving Thailand’s esports sector forward and substantially enhancing the nation’s burgeoning digital economy.
The depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament) is the pinnacle of the comprehensive depa ESPORTS project, an initiative launched in November 2024 with the ambitious goal of establishing an ‘Esports Ecosystem Sandbox’. Mr. Chatchai Khunpitiluck, Executive Vice President of depa, explained that this sandbox is envisioned as a foundational pillar for meticulously developing Thailand’s esports ecosystem and its related industries. The project is multifaceted, designed to promote significant skill enhancement and cultivate deep expertise among Thailand’s youth and other interested individuals. It also strives to inspire a new generation to pursue diverse careers within the vibrant esports landscape, including roles such as professional players, dedicated coaches, strategic team managers, engaging casters, and skilled tournament organizers.
Parallel to fostering talent, the depa ESPORTS project is committed to raising awareness and cultivating positive societal attitudes towards esports as a viable and respected professional career path. A key objective is to elevate the capabilities and standards of Thailand’s esports industry to meet and even exceed international benchmarks. This comprehensive strategy is being implemented through four core activities: depa ESPORTS IN SCHOOLS, designed to integrate esports at the educational level; depa ESPORTS ACADEMY, focused on structured training and development; depa ESPORTS ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, aimed at fast-tracking promising talent and esports ventures; and the culminating depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT. Each of these components functions as a ‘sandbox,’ fostering tangible, holistic, and comprehensive development within the national esports industry.
The initiative has already garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, with a significant number of participants engaging enthusiastically in its various activities. Mr. Chatchai highlighted the impressive turnout for the competitive events, noting, “In particular, the competitive events, ranging from sub-tournaments under depa ESPORTS IN SCHOOLS to various competitions within the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT, such as the Daily Tournament, Influencer Tournament, and Regional Tournament, have attracted over 6,500 participants, significantly exceeding the original target of 5,000”. This strong engagement underscores the growing passion and potential within Thailand’s esports community.
The upcoming Grand Final on May 30th represents a pivotal moment for the 16 qualifying teams, who have emerged victorious from 8 regional tournaments across the country. “For the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament), taking place this Friday, 30 May at BEAT Active, BITEC BURI, it will be a major opportunity for 16 emerging esports teams, regional champions from 8 regions across the country selected through the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Regional Tournament),” stated Mr. Chatchai. These teams will “showcase their skills and compete in Arena of Valor (RoV) for the championship title, a total prize pool of 600,000 THB, and the chance to step into the professional”.
Beyond the immediate prestige and prize money, the Executive Vice President of depa emphasized the tournament’s broader economic significance. “This event will play a vital role in the development of Thailand’s esports industry and serve as a key driver in boosting the country’s digital economy,” he elaborated. Depa projects that the activities under the comprehensive project will contribute substantially to the entire Thai esports ecosystem. “depa estimates that activities under the project will help develop the entire Thai esports ecosystem, with a target of nurturing over 150,000 skilled individuals to support both the esports sector and related industries and generate over 1 billion THB in economic value,” Mr. Chatchai concluded, underscoring the significant long-term vision for the project.
Attendees at the Grand Final can expect more than just the high-stakes RoV championship match, which will be expertly commentated by renowned casters BrightO and SunWaltz. The event promises a full day of esports excitement and entertainment. Football gaming enthusiasts can look forward to the FC Online (1v1) Tournament, offering a total prize pool of 30,000 THB. Adding a touch of glamour and fun, a Celebrity Show Match will feature thrilling face-offs between well-known personalities in both RoV and FC Online.
To ensure a memorable experience for all, a variety of special activities will be available. A Photo Booth will allow fans to capture and share their memorable moments from the event. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to Meet & Greet with eArena, getting up close with professional esports athletes from the renowned eArena team. A dedicated Cosplay Zone will provide a vibrant space for attendees to showcase their creativity by dressing up as their favorite game characters. Furthermore, the first 100 individuals to complete a designated activity checklist will be rewarded with a free BEAT Active pass, adding extra value to their event experience.
The successful implementation of the depa ESPORTS project and the organization of this Grand Final Tournament have been made possible through strong collaboration with key partners, most notably Garena Online (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and other supportive partner organizations. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution and success of all activities under the project’s umbrella.
Esports fans and anyone interested in the future of Thailand’s digital economy are encouraged to attend this landmark event. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to witness thrilling competitions, cheer for favorite teams, and enjoy a wide array of engaging special activities. For those unable to attend or seeking more information, the latest news and updates about the depa ESPORTS project and its various activities can be found on depa’s official website at www.depa.or.th, their LINE Official Account: depaThailand, and the depa Thailand Facebook Page. Don’t miss out on this exciting culmination of talent and digital innovation.
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