"Krung Thai" expands the capabilities of the Paotang app in line with the goal of Thailand Open Digital Platform, which is open to all customer spending. Recently, it has upgraded its services by connecting food ordering systems through the food delivery platforms "LINE MAN - Grab" as part of the Half-Half project on the Paotang app, addressing the needs of modern life in the COVID-19 era, starting today.


Mr. Payong Sriwanich, President of Krung Thai Bank, revealed that the bank is committed to developing the Paotang application into a Thailand Open Digital Platform that can comprehensively meet customer needs. It is open to collaboration with all partners, both public and private sectors, to develop various services that cover all aspects of customers' lives, including daily spending, health, education, savings, investments, and various government services. Currently, there are over 33 million users.


Recently, under the collaboration with the Ministry of Finance to drive the Half-Half project, the bank has expanded the capabilities of the Paotang app to support spending on food and beverages through the two major food delivery platforms, Grab and LINE MAN, using the Half-Half project rights, starting from October 4, 2021. This enhances convenience for participants in the project, reduces living costs, and meets the changing lifestyle of Thais, especially during the Work From Home period when most people increasingly use food and beverage delivery services to maintain social distancing and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The integration of the Paotang app with food delivery platforms represents a new dimension of connecting leading partner platforms in the country to meet the needs of users while supporting and assisting small businesses, which are crucial for employment and driving the country's economy. It creates opportunities to increase sales channels and promote various shops, making it easier and more convenient for customers to access stores. The funds from the project will still go to the shops, as they only cover food and beverage costs, excluding delivery fees, thus directly boosting sales and income for small restaurant operators, helping them sustain their businesses through this crisis.

The Paotang app is developed by Infinitas by Krung Thai, which is the bank's speedboat operating on three main pillars:
1. Development of an open digital infrastructure system (Open Banking Platform)
2. Creation of a digital platform that meets business needs in the new normal (Innovative Digital Business Platform)
3. Establishing an open system that accommodates the changing behaviors of Thais.

With a commitment to developing innovations to create new financial products and services that can meet the needs of all customer groups effectively, by connecting with partner platforms from both the public and private sectors to reduce disparities in access to the fundamentals of the digital economy and to be part of the development of the economy and society of the country as it enters the Digital Economy era, ensuring inclusivity and sustainable growth.
Mr. Yod Chin Suphakul, CEO of LINE MAN Wongnai, stated that after LINE MAN received official approval from the Ministry of Finance, the team has seamlessly integrated the backend systems between the LINE MAN app and the Paotang app, allowing users to order food more easily and pay directly through the Paotang app, creating the smoothest user experience for food ordering. Additionally, a major market stimulation campaign, "Half-Half Savings, Order Half-Half," has been prepared, offering additional discounts on food, free delivery codes, and more to help reduce consumer expenses and stimulate the overall economy. LINE MAN is dedicated to reinforcing its position as the number one platform for Half-Half spending through delivery.

Dr. Kengkar Laewirotjakul, Director of Government Relations at Grab Thailand, expressed that Grab is very pleased to participate in the Half-Half project this time. With a commitment to being part of the support for Thailand to overcome this crisis, Grab has launched the latest campaign, "Grab Food, Order Now, Thai People," offering discounts of up to 60% from participating stores across Thailand, totaling over 20,000 deals, from today until October 24, 2021, to help ease the financial burden on Thais. Grab has also implemented special commission rates of no more than 20% for participating stores in the Half-Half project until December 31, 2021. It is hoped that this collaboration will encourage consumers to spend and enhance the overall economy of the country.