Foodpanda meal delivery service to close May 23

[Gaybutton]

I'm going to miss Foodpanda. That has been my favorite and most easy to use meal delivery service and they also offer discounts I never see on other platforms.

For me, I suppose once Foodpanda closes, it will be mostly GRAB. But GRAB offers only mobile phone service whereas Foodpanda was available by PC. I find mobile phone more difficult and less convenient. Oh well, I'll just have to get used to it when I want meal delivery. I'll have to check using Lineman too. As far as I know, they will be the only multi-restaurant delivery services in Pattaya. Some individual restaurants offer their own delivery, though, such as Hotmeals2u.
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Foodpanda to Exit Thailand by May 23, 2025 Amid Market Challenges

By Adam Judd

April 23, 2025

Foodpanda, a leading food delivery platform in Thailand, will cease operations on May 23, 2025, after 13 years, as announced by its parent company, German based Delivery Hero SE.

The decision follows intense competition, financial losses, and failed sale talks with buyers like Grab and Meituan. Despite early success since launching in 2012, Foodpanda struggled with a 23% market share against Grab’s 50% and reported losses of 522 million baht in 2023.

Past controversies and rider pay disputes further strained its reputation. The closure will impact customers, riders, and vendors, with Delivery Hero promising support for payments and transitions.

The move is likely to strengthen Grab’s dominance in Thailand’s 86-billion-baht food delivery market, as Foodpanda’s parent company refocuses on more profitable regions.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/04/23/f ... hallenges/

[christianpfc]

When you look at all the uniforms, you would assume that 10% of road and pedestrian traffic is food delivery. I'm currently in Guangzhou, China, and here it's similar, the only change they wear yellow. Happy to report gaybuttonthai is not blocked in China.

I recently kind of had my first food delivery. I went to see a boy and it was his dinner time and he ordered online and asked me if I want something. I'm very un-impressed with delivery times (20 min for my meal, 40 for his), prices (about 100 THB vs. 50 THB in a streetside restaurant) and my pet peeve, all the plastic waste.

[Undaunted]

On the rare occasion I order food for delivery I use Line Man app and am quite pleased with their prices and service.

[Gaybutton]

On the rare occasion I order food for delivery I use Line Man app and am quite pleased with their prices and service.

When it comes to food delivery, I'm a "frequent flier". In my case my dinners are mostly doing my own cooking, with food delivery coming in second, and going to restaurants is in last place.

Don't get me wrong - I greatly enjoy good restaurants, but most of the time I'd rather eat at home. So, I'll be looking much more closely at GRAB and Line Man, especially when I'm too lazy to do my own cooking. I love doing my own cooking. It's the cleaning up afterwards part that I don't like - and the thought of it is often my motivation for ordering rather than cooking.

As for the number of delivery drivers, as Christianpfc described for China, in Pattaya a hell of a lot of GRAB drivers are making deliveries morning, noon, and night. Obviously food delivery is quite popular in Pattaya, which is why I'm somewhat surprised that Foodpanda didn't survive.

[Dodger]

Lineman and Grabfood have the lion's share of the Food Delivery Market in Thailand anyway, so Panda parting ways shouldn't cause that much of a disruption.

We very rarely order food...but can see where this works best for you confirmed bachelors.

Jai is a fabulous cook and our refrigerator is always filled with fresh foods from our local market. We also have a nice selection of great eateries here in Bang Saray including my favorite Italian dishes, e.g. spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc. Can't help it - it's in my DNA.

[Gaybutton]

Robinhood currently operates primarily in Bangkok. Their service is expected to be available in Pattaya between now and the end of the year - no information yet as to narrow it down. In the meantime, both GRAB and Line Man are readily available in Pattaya for food delivery and some restaurants, such as Hotmeals2u, have their own delivery staff.

You can download and install the Robinhood food delivery app at any time and set it up for use once it becomes available in your area.
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Robinhood Signs Strategic Redirection Agreement with Foodpanda Thailand and Signals New Opportunities for Thai Food Delivery

By Adam Judd
May 20, 2025

On May 20th, 2025, Thai food delivery platform Robinhood announced a strategic redirection agreement with foodpanda Thailand.

This agreement, effective immediately, facilitates a seamless transition for foodpanda’s customers, restaurant partners, and delivery riders to Robinhood as foodpanda prepares to cease its operations in Thailand by May 23.

Far from a mere handover, this deal is part of Robinhood’s ambition to strengthen its foothold and expand business opportunities in a market valued at $4.2 billion in 2024.

The agreement comes as foodpanda, a subsidiary of Berlin-based Delivery Hero, exits Thailand after 13 years, citing market conditions misaligned with its long-term strategy. Despite its extensive network across all 77 Thai provinces, foodpanda struggled with a 5% market share and accumulated losses of 13.8 billion baht from 2014 to 2023. The decision follows Delivery Hero’s failed attempts to sell parts of its Southeast Asian operations.

Robinhood, operated by Purple Ventures Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Yip In Tsoi Group, is stepping in to ensure continuity for foodpanda’s ecosystem. The Thai-born platform, initially launched by Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in 2020 to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, has upgraded its app to be more English-language friendly, catering to international customers previously served by foodpanda. This enhancement is particularly good in tourist hubs like Pattaya, where foreign visitors rely on accessible food delivery services.

Morakot Yipintsoi, CEO of Robinhood, talked about the company’s dedication to a smooth and inclusive transition. “This agreement marks a big moment in Thailand’s food delivery industry—demonstrating how international brands and local platforms can team up to deliver innovation and continuity,” she said.“We are committed to welcoming foodpanda’s customers and partners with open arms, ensuring a smooth, human-centered transition based on fairness, service quality, and care.”

Thailand’s food delivery market is a battleground dominated by Grab (46% market share) and Line Man Wongnai (40%), with smaller players like ShopeeFood (7%) and Robinhood (2%) vying for growth. foodpanda’s exit presents Robinhood with a golden opportunity to absorb a portion of its customer base, restaurant partners, and riders, potentially elevating its market position. Robinhood’s database, which primarily serves small restaurants, will now complement foodpanda’s network of medium to large establishments.

To support this expansion, Robinhood plans to extend its services beyond Bangkok and its surrounding provinces to key regional cities by the end of 2025. This move aligns with the company’s long-term vision of becoming a “Thai Super App,” offering not only food delivery but also travel, shopping, and express delivery services. The planned launch of “Robinhood Mart,” a platform for Thai handicraft products aimed at international buyers, further signals its intent to diversify and tap into global markets.

Robinhood’s rise is rooted in its community-driven ethos, established during its inception as a socially responsible platform. Unlike competitors criticized for high commission fees (20–40% in some cases), Robinhood initially launched with a no-commission model to support small merchants. While it now operates as a commercial entity under Yip In Tsoi, the platform continues to prioritize fair compensation, transparent working conditions, and long-term support for its riders. Its policy of avoiding order batching ensures meals are delivered fresh, enhancing customer satisfaction and rider well-being.

The strategic redirection agreement also positions Robinhood as a boutique service, as articulated by Morakot Yipintsoi. “Robinhood needs to reposition itself as a boutique service—small, niche, and sophisticated—offering an easy-to-understand, charming, and straightforward experience with lower commission fees,” she noted. This focus on quality over aggressive promotions contrasts with the industry’s earlier reliance on “artificial demand” driven by heavy discounts, a phase Grab’s country head, Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, acknowledged as unsustainable.

The agreement has sparked discussions about the future of Thailand’s food delivery market. Analysts suggest the sector is maturing, with only two to three major players likely to dominate due to the need for economies of scale. Line Man Wongnai’s CEO, Yod Chinsupakul, noted that foodpanda’s exit could shift competition from price to quality, enabling sustainable profits and innovation. Robinhood’s entry as a stronger contender could prevent a duopoly, offering consumers more choice and fostering a healthier competitive landscape.
Looking ahead, Robinhood aims to break even in 2025 and plans to list on the stock market within three years. Its acquisition of foodpanda’s ecosystem, coupled with strategic expansions like Robinhood Mart and enhanced English-language support, positions it to capture a growing share of Thailand’s 120–150 billion baht online food delivery market.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/05/20/r ... -delivery/

[Dodger]

Robinhood, operated by Purple Ventures Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Yip In Tsoi Group, is stepping in to ensure continuity for foodpanda’s ecosystem.

I almost choked when I read this line.

Talk about creative writing, i.e., "ensure continuity of foodpanda's ecosystem"...

[Gaybutton]

Talk about creative writing, i.e., "ensure continuity of foodpanda's ecosystem"...

I suppose we're all entitled once in a while to poetic license and slight exaggeration . . .

The point is for those of us who enjoy food delivery service and perhaps sometimes depend on it, we've still got it.


"Being a hooker is a great business. You got it. You sell it. And you still got it."
- Rodney Dangerfield

[thewayhelooks]

ensure continuity of foodpanda's ecosystem.

I'd say it was written by a not very intelligent AI ChatBot. They spring up everywhere like weeds.

[Jun]

I almost choked when I read this line.
Talk about creative writing, i.e., "ensure continuity of foodpanda's ecosystem"...

This kind of tosh is quite normal in company announcements. Generally, the less viable the business, the more creative the output.