Report Robinhood Steers Thailand's Food Delivery Future as Foodpanda Exits

[snoop1130]

Photo of a Robinhood delivery rider courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand’s food delivery landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with Thai-native platform Robinhood stepping up to fill the void left by Foodpanda. On May 20, Robinhood announced a strategic agreement with Foodpanda Thailand, allowing for a seamless transition of customers, restaurant partners, and delivery riders before Foodpanda ceases operations on May 23.

 

"This agreement marks a big moment in Thailand’s food delivery industry," stated Morakot Yipintsoi, CEO of Robinhood. He emphasized Robinhood’s commitment to ensuring a smooth, equitable transition prioritizing service quality and care.

 

Foodpanda, part of Berlin-based Delivery Hero, had been grappling with financial challenges, holding a mere 5% market share and incurring losses of 13.8 billion baht from 2014 to 2023. Despite its wide presence across Thailand's 77 provinces, which included attempts to sell segments of its Southeast Asian operations, the decision to exit the Thai market was inevitable.

 

For Robinhood, operated by Purple Ventures under the Yip In Tsoi Group, this transition presents an invaluable opportunity to bolster its position in Thailand’s competitive food delivery sector, projected to be worth US$4.2 billion by 2024. Currently, the industry is led by Grab with a 46% market share and LINEMAN Wongnai at 40%, while Robinhood holds a modest 2%, poised to grow significantly with Foodpanda’s exit.

 

Initially launched during the pandemic by Siam Commercial Bank to support small businesses, Robinhood quickly gained traction with its no-commission model, a stark contrast to other platforms charging up to 40%. Though it now operates on a commercial basis, Robinhood maintains its ethos of fair pay, transparency, and fresh, non-batched deliveries.

 

To cater to a broader audience, Robinhood has enhanced its app with more English-friendly features, appealing to foreign users in popular tourist destinations like Pattaya. The company plans to extend its reach beyond Bangkok to key cities by the end of the year. Additionally, the introduction of Robinhood Mart—a marketplace for Thai handicrafts targeting international customers—highlights its ambition to evolve into a comprehensive “Thai Super App.”

 

As the food delivery industry increasingly pivots from an emphasis on discounts to focusing on quality and sustainability, Robinhood is positioned to disrupt the potential dominance of Grab and LINEMAN Wongnai, preventing a duopoly and fostering a diverse market landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-21

 

 

[Jingthing]

Robinhood?

I don't get it.

Steal from the rich to give to the poor.

Who are the rich and who are the poor in this relationship?