{"id":"66fa5819-5ae6-4b7d-979c-2bd9eb89405a","url":"https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/83835","domain":"english.kyodonews.net","outlet":{"name":"Kyodonews","country":null,"cred":null,"lean":null,"curated":false},"title":"FEATURE: Friend-for-hire services gain traction in Thailand","plainHeadline":"Friend-for-hire services are expanding in Thailand amid rising single-person households.","rewrite":{"model":null,"at":null},"summary":["Thai demand for professional companions rose as single-person households reached 29.5% in 2025.","Services include photo-taking, social companionship, and activities like running or indoor rock climbing.","Providers screen clients and focus on safety, with bookings typically lasting 1–3 hours.","Some operators, like Ice, also work as presenters or MCs and limit future commitments.","Experts note these services offer emotional comfort but stress clear boundaries to prevent harassment."],"topics":["Economy","Health","Environment"],"lang":"eng","publishedAt":"2026-09-06T00:53:00.000Z","ingestedAt":"2026-09-06T02:16:37.286Z","story":null}