Go-Jek to launch in Thailand

GET announces its plan to launch in Bangkok in the upcoming months. The company, which will provide app-based on-demand services, will focus on developing a ride-hailing offering first, before expanding into a broader range of services in the future.

The launch of GET is part of Go-Jek’s international expansion plan. The brand was developed in Thailand and benefits from a Thai founding management team with extensive experience in the tech industry and in-depth knowledge of Thai consumers, drivers and other stakeholders. It aims to become an indispensable part of life in Thailand, making life easier for Thai consumers, while also providing partner drivers and local entrepreneurs with access to additional income sources.

The move follows the announcement last month of Go-Jek’s US$500 million (approximately THB16 Billion) plan to launch in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. The announcement followed the company’s latest fundraising round, which saw backing from Google, Warburg Pincus, KKR, Tencent and Meituan-Dianping among others.

Pinya Nittayakasetwat, GET Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, said: “Go-Jek became the first homegrown unicorn in Indonesia because it believed technology could provide a solution to some of the country’s most challenging problems. The GET team is inspired by the way the company turned the pains of everyday commuters into a business opportunity that improved life for millions of people. We are driven by the same philosophy and we share the same passion to make a positive impact on Thai society.

“We are Thais, born and raised in Thailand, so we have a deep understanding of Thai consumer needs, and having worked in the tech industry for a number of years, we have seen firsthand the positive impact technology can bring to everyone, whether consumers, drivers or SME owners.

“With Go-Jek’s support in technology and know-how, we are confident we can scale up quickly and become Thailand’s preferred choice.”

Go-Jek is the largest on-demand multi-service platform in Indonesia, which has improved the livelihoods of more than one million drivers and over 150,000 merchants.

Nadiem Makarim, Go-Jek Chief Executive Officer and Founder, said: “Our business model has proven to be a great success in Indonesia because we’ve focused on how we can improve life for consumers and drivers there. We are certain that other countries including Thailand can benefit in a similar way.”

As a Thai application that benefits from world-class technology, GET strives to become an essential part of life in Thailand. The company is currently engaging with multiple stakeholder groups including government, drivers and consumers as it aims to launch its product offering in the next few months.