Thailand’s local businesses to benefit from this initiative come from a wide range of tourism industries, from retail, F&B to hospitality and attractions nationwide.
SINGAPORE – GHL Systems Berhad (GHL), leading payment service company in ASEAN region, has enabled Alipay+ for over 2,600 local businesses in Thailand to accept cross-border digital payments from leading Asian mobile wallets. This includes AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia) and Alipay (Chinese mainland), which has been accepted by Thai merchants since 2015.
Travellers visiting Thailand can now pay with their home e-wallets at over 5,000 retail outlets powered by GHL, through a partnership with Alipay+, a suite of global cross-border digital payment and marketing solutions operated by Ant Group. The local businesses to benefit from this initiative come from a wide range of tourism industries, from retail, F&B to hospitality and attractions nationwide.
For the first quarter of 2023, the government announced Thailand has achieved its target for tourist arrivals, with 6.15 million visitors. As travellers return to Thailand, they have greater expectations of their travel and retail experience, particularly as many have become accustomed to a seamless payment experience via mobile wallets.
Mr. Prinya Jinantuya, Chief Executive Officer of GHL Thailand said, “GHL’s long-term partnership with Alipay, now further enhanced with the latest collaboration with Alipay+ holds immense value for the Thai tourism industry. Local businesses can attract a broader customer base of Asian travellers, offering them a familiar and convenient payment method. This integration aligns with Thailand’s vision to create a cashless economy, fostering financial inclusivity and driving economic growth. As digital transactions continue to rise, the economy benefits from enhanced transparency, efficiency, and security, positively impacting multiple sectors and promoting overall economic development.”
Jim Thompson, Thailand’s well-known silk company and one of the earliest local brands to complete the integration, stands as a testament to the benefits of this partnership. With a legacy rooted in exquisite silk craftsmanship, today, Jim Thompson is the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand with a reputation for beautiful silks and “Beyond Silk” and a beloved brand among both locals and international visitors.
Nunnapat Verojanavat, Marketing Director of Jim Thompson, said: “By embracing cross-border digital payments, Jim Thompson can now offer a familiar and convenient payment method to these travellers, enhancing their overall shopping experience. Tourists from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Malaysia, who are accustomed to using mobile wallets as their preferred payment method, can now enjoy a seamless and hassle-free shopping experience. This not only strengthens customer satisfaction but also contributes to building long-term customer loyalty.”
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services, Ant Group, said: “Today’s travellers are not the same as they were before the pandemic, with many now used to digital lifestyles, which they will expect no matter where they go. Through our local partners like GHL, we can enable more local businesses to easily accept digital payments like e-wallets, which is fast becoming the preferred payment method of Asian consumers, helping them provide a more convenient, fuss-free experience.”
Travellers will have no lack of retail and entertainment options in Thailand and can use their own local mobile wallets at popular shopping destinations such as all six Premium Outlets, including in Cha-am, Khao-Yai, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Phuket and Krabi.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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