Introducing Gother: A Travel Platform by Thais, for Thais

Gother is Thailand’s homegrown online travel platform, designed to meet the unique needs of Thai travelers. Developed with a deep understanding of local preferences, Gother supports domestic tourism across major and secondary cities, aiming to stimulate sustainable economic growth in local communities. The platform has gained the backing of Beacon Venture Capital, the investment arm of Kasikorn Bank, and Krungthai Ventures, the venture arm of Krungthai Bank. With a bold vision, Gother is set to expand and evolve into Thailand's leading travel platform, with plans for an IPO within five years.

Anupong Kriangkrailipikorn, CEO of Search Engine Optimization Co., Ltd., and the founder of Gother explained that the platform is a comprehensive solution offering bookings for accommodations, flights, car rentals, and lifestyle-based activities tailored to Thai preferences. Gother especially appeals to the younger generation seeking unique travel experiences. One standout feature is its activity-based travel options, designed to match specific interests, such as diving, coffee exploration, and more, alongside KLUB, a lifestyle-oriented travel community.

"The tourism industry has seen explosive growth, with a 44% increase in 2023. It is a key driver of Thailand’s economy, contributing significantly to both national and local levels through spending by domestic and international travelers," said Anupong. "Gother aims to support this growth by leveraging technology to analyze and personalize travel recommendations, offering experiences that align with the diverse lifestyles of Thai travelers. Our goal is to redefine Thai tourism and provide new, exciting experiences like never before."

Looking ahead, Gother's five-year strategic plan includes pursuing an IPO to facilitate technological advancement through Big Data, AI, and Blockchain implementation. This technological integration aims to enhance consumer understanding and establish Gother as Thai travelers' preferred booking platform across all lifestyle segments.

The platform’s growth is further bolstered by strategic investments from two leading financial institutions. This partnership enhances Gother’s offerings through seamless integration with K PLUS, Krungthai NEXT, and Pao Tang applications. Travelers can enjoy smooth booking experiences, secure financial transactions, and exclusive privileges across these platforms, elevating convenience and value for users.

Thanapong Na Ranong, Managing Director of Beacon Venture Capital (Beacon VC), emphasized that the decision to invest in Gother reflects the platform’s strong potential in leveraging technology and data to enhance its services. This aligns with Kasikorn Bank’s strategic vision of delivering customer-centric solutions that address evolving needs effectively.

The collaboration seamlessly integrates K PLUS, Thailand’s leading mobile banking platform with over 22.6 million users, with Gother’s travel services. This synergy combines K PLUS’s robust capabilities with Gother’s expertise as a travel platform tailored to Thai consumers, ensuring a seamless, secure, and efficient travel booking experience directly within the app.

This integration not only establishes K PLUS as a true Lifestyle Digital Banking solution but also stimulates consumer spending during travel, generating new opportunities for local businesses and service providers within the tourism ecosystem. Through this partnership, Beacon VC and Gother are driving the sustainable growth of Thailand’s tourism industry, reinforcing Kasikorn Bank’s longstanding commitment to supporting this key economic sector.

Suripong Tantiyanon, Chairman of Krungthai Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Krungthai Bank, announced a significant investment in Search Engine Optimization Co., Ltd., the developer of Gother. This initiative aligns with Krungthai Bank’s strategic mission to empower Thai startups and SMEs, fostering their growth while meeting the evolving demands of travel-savvy customers.

The partnership creates a synergistic ecosystem by integrating Krungthai Bank’s leading digital platforms: Paotang, Thailand’s largest open digital platform with over 40 million users; Krungthai NEXT, which serves more than 18 million users; and Tung Ngern, supporting over 2 million merchants. By connecting these platforms with Gother, the collaboration enables seamless access to services, driving revenue growth for hotels, restaurants, and small businesses while creating significant job opportunities across the tourism sector. This initiative reflects Krungthai Bank’s dedication to fostering Thailand’s economic growth and developing a robust, sustainable tourism ecosystem.

“The investment in Gother represents a significant step toward driving positive change in Thailand’s economy by supporting high-potential Thai startups. This partnership strengthens their competitiveness and unlocks new business opportunities, enabling them to thrive in a dynamic market.

Additionally, the collaboration aligns with the lifestyle preferences of Krungthai Bank’s travel-savvy customers, who frequently use the Krungthai Travel Card for booking flights and accommodations, both domestically and internationally, and rely on Krungthai NEXT and Paotang for seamless financial transactions.

By integrating Gother’s services into Krungthai’s digital platforms, we are providing customers with effortless access to travel solutions, delivering a smooth and unified user experience. This initiative underscores our commitment to embedding digital services into the daily lives of Thai people, ensuring inclusive access to financial tools and enhancing their overall quality of life.”