The Pokémon fever is about to heat up for Trainers in Southeast Asia. As part of its continued push into the region, The Pokémon Company has announced plans to open a new official Pokémon Center in Thailand later this year, marking the country’s first and the third outside Japan.
The store will be located at CentralWorld, one of the largest shopping complexes in Bangkok, with additional details, including the interior layout, exclusive merchandise, and special opening events, to be announced in the coming months. Judging by the existing branches, fans can expect standard fare such as trading cards, plush toys, homeware, and apparel, as well as life-sized statues and interactive visual displays.
Pokémon Center Bangkok is also set to host various activities, from Pokémon Trading Card Game tournaments to regular community events, serving as a gathering ground for both casual enthusiasts and competitive players. When it eventually launches, the outlet will join Singapore and Taipei as the only permanent overseas launches.
Closer to home, the Pokémon Center at Jewel Changi Airport has temporarily closed to make way for a makeover spotlighting fully localised elements. It will reopen in the third quarter of 2026 with “heritage-inspired installations alongside interior design elements inspired by everyday local culture”, an expanded range of merchandise and shopping experiences, and a new Pokémon ambassador representing the “unique charm of Singapore”.
2026 has proven to be a strong run for The Pokémon Company. PokéPark Kanto, the first permanent Pokémon outdoor facility, opened in Japan at the start of the year, while Pokémon Pokopia, the life-simulator sandbox title co-developed by The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, and Koei Tecmo, exceeded two million copies sold in four days.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
