Latest news with #GrabThailand
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Grab posts surge in orders among expats
Grab has reported a 50% surge in delivery orders from expatriates and digital nomads in Thailand over the past 12 months. Thai cuisine such as fried rice, chicken rice and Thai tea have become favourites, while GrabBike usage grew by 30%, said the company. To better serve this segment, Grab introduced the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered "One Click Translation" feature, offering menu translations in up to nine languages, along with the launch of the Expat Pass, providing discounts of up to 2,000 baht across all Grab services. Chirakit Kwangsukstith, senior director of deliveries at Grab Thailand, said in addition to being a foreign tourist destination, many foreigners opt to live, work and do business here because of the affordable cost of living, developed infrastructure and telecom, accessible visa applications and rich cultural charm. This is especially true for Bangkok, which was recently ranked the No.1 city for American remote workers thanks to affordable rent, fast internet and stunning scenery. According to the Thailand Migration Report 2024, Thailand is home to up to 5.3 million non-Thai residents, an 8% increase from 2019. This includes hundreds of thousands of expats, both permanent and temporary, including digital nomads. Mr Chirakit said expats and digital nomads have high potential for Grab as they are considered quality users with strong spending power. "This is reflected in the growth of our delivery business, both GrabFood and GrabMart, which recorded a gain in orders of more than 50% from this segment over the past 12 months," he said. The segment's average order value ranges from 300-500 baht. The top five nationalities using the services are American, British, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, mostly residing in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Hua Hin, said Mr Chirakit. Among expat users, the top five food categories are fast food, cook-to-order Thai dishes, healthy meals, rice bowls or speciality dishes, and takeaway drinks, according to Grab. Thai food remains a favourite, particularly convenient, single-dish meals such as fried rice, which tops the list with more than 627,000 orders annually, followed by chicken rice with more than 326,000 orders. Thai tea leads the beverage category, with in excess of 127,000 cups sold per year. In terms of ride-hailing, two-thirds of expats prefer to commute by car via JustGrab, GrabCar and GrabCar Premium, with one-third opting for GrabBike, which recorded steady growth, rising 30% year-on-year in usage. "To enhance the experience and better serve foreign users, Grab has enhanced its in-app language capabilities by developing the 'One Click Translation' feature, powered by AI technology. This feature enables users to translate dish descriptions and merchant details into nine languages with a single tap, including English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and several Southeast Asian languages, expanding beyond the previous app setting that was limited to English only," he said. Mr Chirakit said this feature not only improves convenience for Grab users, but also creates new opportunities for its merchant-partners to reach foreign customers and boost sales. "We also launched the Grab Expat Pass, a tailored discount package for expats offering greater value across a variety of Grab services, including food and grocery delivery, transport and parcel delivery, with savings of up to 2,000 baht," he said.
Bangkok Post
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Grab unveils features for teens
Grab Thailand is reinforcing its position as a leading ride-hailing platform by expanding its on-demand transportation services to cater to consumers of all age groups through the launch of "Grab For Family | Teens". The feature is designed to enhance safe travel for users aged 13 to 19 -- covering both Gen Alpha and Gen Z -- allowing them to travel independently while prioritising peace of mind for parents. The enhanced safety measures include Top-Rated Driver Matching, Ride PIN Verification, Always-on AudioProtect and Real-Time Trip Monitoring with alerts in case of any emergencies. Maythinee Anavachkul, director of mobility and driver operations at Grab Thailand, said safety has always been Grab's top priority. For over 12 years, Grab has been committed to innovating and enhancing safety standards across its platform to ensure both passengers and drivers feel confident and secure. Its efforts include stringent background checks on drivers, with a requirement for a clean seven-year criminal record, and verification of each driver's identity through the use of biometric facial recognition before services are provided. It has also introduced technology–led safety features such as Share My Ride, which enables passengers to share their real-time trip monitoring with friends and family; Safety Centre, providing immediate access to emergency assistance; AudioProtect, generating an audio recording during a ride that can be used as evidence in the case of any disputes; and the SOS button and KartaDashcams, installed in cars to capture in-car footage during the ride. "To strengthen safety measures and broaden access to ride-hailing services for everyone, we have upgraded the Grab For Family feature with the launch of a new version for teens," Ms Maythinee said. This upgraded feature allows passengers aged 13 to 19 to travel independently while still being monitored by their parents through four enhanced safety measures. Since its launch at the end of last year, Grab For Family -- initially created to support elderly users, particularly those less familiar with technology -- has been warmly embraced by families for making ride-hailing more accessible and convenient for older adults. "The new Teens version reflects our continued effort to meet the needs of more Thai users, especially Gen Alpha and Gen Z, who together account for over 20 million individuals, by delivering innovative digital solutions for everyday life." Grab For Family | Teens includes four enhanced safety measures. The first safety measure is Top-Rated Drivers. This feature ensures teen travellers are only matched with top-rated drivers who have received consistently high service reviews. The second is Ride PIN Verification. Teens using this feature must enter a PIN code provided by the driver before the ride commences to ensure they are using the correct vehicle. The third safety feaure is Always-on AudioProtect. This feature ensures all journeys by car are automatically recorded to help prevent incidents and provide evidence in the case of any unforeseen events. In future, Grab plans to integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect in real-time if anything inappropriate is taking place in the car during a journey, so Grab's support team can intervene immediately. The fourth safety feature is Family Monitoring. This allows parents to track rides in real time and receive alerts in the case of disputes, such as off-route driving, unplanned stops or the ride being ended prematurely. Grab also plans to expand teen-focused safety technologies across different services.
Time Out
23-05-2025
- Time Out
Ease, variety and speed: How GrabFood serves expats
Time Out Bangkok in partnership with Grab Thailand It's no surprise that Thailand holds a reputation as a top tourism hotspot and there's proof to back it up. The kingdom has been named Travel + Leisure's 2025 Destination of the Year. With this recognition, it's natural to see a growing number of expats making their way to the country. One big reason? The food scene. Bangkok was named Time Out's second-best city for food in 2025 and it's easy to see why. The city buzzes with street food stalls and upscale international restaurants that showcase its global community. But it's not just the capital that shines – other top destinations for expatriates each have their own unique charm. Chiang Mai invites those seeking a relaxed pace with cosy cafes and rich northern Thai flavours. Phuket offers fresh seafood and tropical tastes set against stunning beach backdrops. Pattaya is where local delights sit comfortably alongside international favourites. Together, these cities highlight the diverse lifestyle and rich food culture that make the kingdom a favourite among foreigners. However, as much as we love exploring the food scene, going out for a go-to dish isn't always easy, especially with traffic, long queues and the magnetic pull of the couch. That's where GrabFood rides in. *According to a survey by Kantar, GrabFood is the number 1 food delivery app in Thailand (most often used brand in 2024). With their service, expats and locals alike can enjoy scrumptious meals anytime, anywhere – delivered right to their door. Browse the menu in English for a hassle-free experience For expats and travellers, figuring out what to eat in a food-rich country like Thailand can be a challenge especially when language gets in the way. Not every restaurant has an English menu and trying to decipher unfamiliar dishes on the spot can feel a bit overwhelming. With GrabFood, many spots on the app include translations, making it easier to browse, choose and order without second-guessing what's in each dish. Fast delivery in 30 minutes or less Living in Thailand can sometimes turn grabbing your favourite food into a bit of an adventure especially when the language barrier slows things down or your go-to spots are miles away. When hunger hits, a long trip isn't exactly ideal. Sometimes, you just want to skip the travel hassle and get straight to the best flavours. GrabFood makes things get a whole lot easier. You're likely to get your meal in just 30 minutes – over 70 percent of nearby orders make it within that time (excluding Saver Delivery). And if it takes longer? You'll get a small reward for your next order. Not a bad trade-off for staying comfy at home. A smorgasbord of tasty eats to pick from One of the best things about Thailand's food scene is its sheer variety. From Isaan's spicy som tam and grilled chicken to northern rich khao soi, southern-style curries or even a sweet cup of Thai tea, there's always something to satisfy your cravings. Thanks to GrabFood, sampling all kinds of dishes is easier than ever, no matter which city you live in. Whether it's street food from Bangkok's Yaowarat, desserts from a cafe in Chiang Mai, seafood in Phuket's Old Town or a comfort meal in Pattaya's Walking Street, just a few taps and it's on its way. With so many choices, deciding what to eat might be the toughest part.
