Google Map Thailand is the first in Southeast Asia

The service has eight initial content partners to provide a wealth of information for the map. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has provided 3,000 points of interest to tourists. Where in Thailand and Space Miner provide more than 600,000 business addresses and other information. HSBC's www.everydaydiningdelight.com and IC Web's www.bkkmenu.com provide restaurant lists in Thailand. Thaiticketmaster.com lists events.

The service is now available at maps.google.co.th to serve not only consumers but also businesses and software developers.

"This is called a beta release, but that does not mean it is still testing. It is just our promise to keep improving. The online map service is dynamic, so it can never be finished. We have to always update and improve. Google Map services all around the world are all also Beta," MaGlinchey said.

The services for consumers include displays in both map and satellite view, location searches, driving directions and the My Map feature.

The service allows users to find places throughout Thailand easily and quickly by just keying in the destination. It will soon allow them to get driving directions by putting in their current location and destination.

The driving directions can be saved, with a choice of options, such as using or not using expressways.

"If they want to add more places for visiting on their route, they just drag the mouse from the current route to the new destination, then the system will immediately display the new route for them," MaGlinchey said.

It also allows users to create their own maps. Under the My Maps function, users can utilise Google Map to create their own maps for various purposes, for example planning a weekend trip. My Maps can be public or private.

The Local Business Centre function allows Thai businesses across the country to easily post their locations and business summaries on the map. Google will verify the information before posting it on the map.

"Thai is one of our 40 languages for Google Map, and the first in Southeast Asia," MaGlinchey said.

Software developers can benefit from Google Map's open platform API to develop their own maps using the platform. For example, both the Projects initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Toyota have used Google Map's API to produce their own information for Google Map.

The service is now also available on mobile phones with the same features and functions as the services on computer.

"Google aims to generate revenue from online advertising from Google Map but that is not priority for now," said MaGlinchey. "Our priority is to focus on users. Once the number of users is huge the money will come."