Malaysia-based payment service firm GHL Systems Berhad (GHL) has enabled Alipay+ for over 2,600 local businesses in Thailand to accept cross-border digital payments from leading Asian mobile wallets.

This includes AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia) and Alipay (Chinese mainland), which has been accepted by Thai merchants since 2015, GHL said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, travellers visiting Thailand can now pay with their home e-wallets at over 5,000 retail outlets powered by GHL, through a partnership with Alipay+, a suite of global cross-border digital payment and marketing solutions operated by Ant Group.

It said the local businesses to benefit from this initiative come from a wide range of tourism industries, from retail, F&B to hospitality and attractions nationwide.

It is noted that for the first quarter of 2023, the government announced Thailand has achieved its target for tourist arrivals, with 6.15 million visitors.

As travellers return to Thailand, they have greater expectations of their travel and retail experience, particularly as many have become accustomed to a seamless payment experience via mobile wallets.

“GHL’s long-term partnership with Alipay, now further enhanced with the latest collaboration with Alipay+ holds immense value for the Thai tourism industry,” said Prinya Jinantuya, Chief Executive Officer of GHL Thailand.

According to him, local businesses can attract a broader customer base of Asian travellers, offering them a familiar and convenient payment method.

This integration aligns with Thailand’s vision to create a cashless economy, fostering financial inclusivity and driving economic growth, he said.

“As digital transactions continue to rise, the economy benefits from enhanced transparency, efficiency, and security, positively impacting multiple sectors and promoting overall economic development,” he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services, Ant Group, said that today’s travellers are not the same as they were before the pandemic, with many now used to digital lifestyles, which they will expect no matter where they go.

“Through our local partners like GHL, we can enable more local businesses to easily accept digital payments like e-wallets, which is fast becoming the preferred payment method of Asian consumers, helping them provide a more convenient, fuss-free experience,” he said.

According to the statement, travellers will have no lack of retail and entertainment options in Thailand and can use their own local mobile wallets at popular shopping destinations such as all six Premium Outlets, including in Cha-am, Khao-Yai, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Phuket and Krabi.

Listed on Malaysian stock exchange, GHL is one of the top merchant acquirers in the ASEAN region. The firm provides payment services and solutions.

GHL’s reach spans across six countries; Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia – stretching over a vast footprint of over 380,000 payment touchpoints across the region.

Developed by the International Business Group of Ant Group, Alipay+ provides global cross-border mobile payment solutions which enable merchants, including small and medium-sized businesses, to better serve consumers.

Alipay+ also provides digital marketing solutions, which help global merchants to distribute various kinds of discounts to digital payment method users, helping them to gain and retain consumers across the world.

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