The Northern Esports Learning Center (NREL), College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, organized “Chiang Mai’s Digital Map Design Competition by Free Fire Craftland.” This digital game map design competition provided an opportunity for youth and the next generation to showcase the charm, cultural identity, history, and way of life of Chiang Mai in the digital realm via the Free Fire Craftland platform, competing for total prizes exceeding 40,000 THB. The initiative aimed to foster learning and youth development through game design while bridging cultural knowledge with digital technology skills to present Chiang Mai’s heritage in a contemporary format accessible to modern audiences.

The event was honored by representatives from Garena Online (Thailand) Co., Ltd., led by Mr. Wisarut Pongthanapisit (GMArrto) and team, who shared industry knowledge, game design expertise, and concepts for map creation on Free Fire Craftland, empowering participants to apply these insights into their project developments.

This competition reflects an integrated approach to embedding Thai cultural dimensions and Chiang Mai’s identity into digital media. Participants reinterpreted local culture, history, landmarks, and lifestyles into in-game maps, sparking interest in Chiang Mai’s heritage while sharing local narratives with a broader gaming community. Furthermore, the activity raised awareness and pride in Chiang Mai’s cultural heritage in connection with its UNESCO Cultural World Heritage candidacy, encouraging youth to explore opportunities in building upon cultural knowledge through creative industries and digital technology. With over 100 participants, the event took place from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University.