Internship Experience in Thailand

By Nina Pant SCU 2026

As an international student from Bangkok, Thailand, I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to intern in Thailand for the past 3 summers. My first internship experience was during my sophomore year of highschool’s summer and continued on to my junior year of highschool’s summer. As an operating and marketing intern at one of the biggest supermarket chains in Thailand, Tops Supermarket, I had a lot of responsibilities on my plate. Tops Supermarket is a diverse grocery chain which specializes in catering to a broad spectrum of customers, from locals to expatriates, providing a mix of Thai and international products. Tops Supermarkets are often located in convenient locations within cities and are typically part of larger shopping centers or malls, making them easily accessible for everyday shopping. The chain is well-regarded for its quality products and clean, well-organized store environments. I gained significant hands-on experience as I was able analyze various aspects of store operations, including the promotions, advertising, self-checkout, and personal shopper services. Through my diverse background of attending an international school with over 150 nationalities, I was able to give valuable feedback to the operations team and share my opinions on how to attract more expat consumers. Additionally, I gained insights into online promotions, delivery mechanisms, warehouse management, e-commerce, and customer relationship management. Based on this analysis, I made specific recommendations aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, such as accelerating delivery timelines and implementing cross-category promotions to optimize customer engagement and satisfaction. Lastly, I visited Top’s Supermarket Dark Store (my favorite part of the internship!) and was impressed by the efficiency and organization dedicated to fulfilling online orders. Unlike traditional retail locations, this dark store operates solely as a fulfillment center for online grocery shopping, which helps speed up the process of picking and packing items for delivery. The layout is optimized for quick access to popular products, and the staff use technology to track inventory levels in real time, ensuring that the items listed online are available. Overall, the internship experience at Top’s Supermarket was truly enriching, and I am deeply grateful for such an educational opportunity. 

My next internship was at Osotspa Limited Company in Bangkok during my senior year of highschool’s summer. Osotspa is a prominent Thai company known for its production and distribution of beverages and consumer products. As it was founded in 1891, the company has a long history in Thailand’s consumer goods market. Osotspa is best known for its energy drink M-150, which is one of the most popular energy drinks in Thailand. Besides M-150, the company produces a range of other products including pharmaceuticals, personal care items, and other beverages under various brand names. Being a marketing intern, I gained valuable hands on experience in product development, helped to construct advertising campaigns promoting the substance taurine in energy drinks to connect with the target audience, and conducted direct interviews with potential customers, gaining insights into consumer behaviors and preferences, enabling us to tailor our products effectively to meet the market’s unique needs. I also visited the siam glass factory where I learnt about the process of creating the bottles used for Osotspa’s beverages. The visit provided a comprehensive overview of the glass manufacturing process, from raw material selection to the final quality control checks. I observed how silica sand, along with other materials, is melted at high temperatures to form glass, which is then molded into various shapes and sizes to meet specific product requirements. This amazing internship experience at Osotspa equipped me with a unique perspective on understanding and leveraging consumer insights to drive business growth.

Through these internship opportunities in Thailand, I have experienced diverse cultures and workplaces environments, fueling my passion for international business. I am deeply engaged in understanding how businesses operate across different cultures, including the variety in work culture, management styles, and operational strategies. These experiences have enriched my global business mindset and have struck a strong interest in exploring multinational companies.