Grab Thailand has officially launched the “Grab Driver Awards” for the first time to recognize more than 400 outstanding drivers and riders from across the country for their service excellence across eight award categories. The initiative aims to elevate ride-hailing industry standards while supporting the Ministry of Transport’s direction to enhance the quality and safety of public transportation services.

As part of the initiative, Grab also introduced four new AI-powered features designed to improve service efficiency and enhance safety for drivers on the platform, while equipping them with content creation skills to unlock additional income opportunities in the digital economy. These efforts reflect Grab’s commitment under its GrabForGood mission to improve the quality of life for people across its ecosystem.

Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, said, “Today, ride-hailing services have become an integral part of daily transportation for many Thais and play an important role in supporting the tourism industry. By offering both convenience and safety, these services help create seamless connections between travellers and public transportation networks across the country, making them  popular among tourists, especially international visitors.  The Ministry of Transport therefore places great importance on developing effective regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, while encouraging all platforms to maintain and continuously improve service standards in a safe, modern, transparent, and fair manner. These efforts are essential to strengthening confidence among both passengers and drivers.” 

“The Grab Driver Awards represent a commendable initiative by a leading digital platform like Grab to recognize and celebrate exemplary drivers who serve as role models for others in the industry. We hope this recognition will inspire  other public transportation drivers to further develop their capabilities and raise service standards, ultimately contributing to the long-term development of Thailand’s transportation and tourism industries.”

Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, Country Head of Grab Thailand, commented, “Every day, hundreds of thousands of drivers and riders provide services on the Grab platform. They are more than service providers; they are also a vital force driving economic activity, supporting  communities,  and serving as frontline ambassadors who welcome visitors and help create positive first impressions of Thailand.” 

“While our 5-star rating system and tipping feature remain crucial for users to recognize and encourage drivers, Grab has taken additional steps this year by officially launching the first Grab Driver Awards. The awards recognize outstanding drivers and riders nationwide for their dedication and excellence in key areas such as service quality, safety and traffic discipline, hospitality towards tourists, and integrity. We hope these award winners will serve as inspiring role models within the industry and help elevate service standards across Thailand’s digital platform ecosystem.”

The “Grab Driver Awards 2026” recognizes more than 400 outstanding drivers and riders from across Thailand who achieved exceptional user ratings and demonstrated service excellence in various aspects of service. The awards comprise eight key categories that reflect the qualities of the nation’s most outstanding service providers on the Grab platform, including:

• “5-Star Service Excellence” Award – Presented to drivers and riders who received the highest number of 5-star ratings from users throughout the year.
• “Thailand Ambassador and Tourists’ Favorite” Award – Presented to drivers who received the highest number of  5-star ratings from international  tourists.
• “Outstanding Chinese-Speaking Driver” Award – Presented to drivers who demonstrate exceptional Chinese-language communication skills  and have served the highest number of Chinese passengers.
• “Safe Driving Excellence” Award – Presented to drivers and riders with outstanding safe-driving records, strong traffic discipline, and no history of user complaints.
• “Route Master” Award – Presented to drivers and riders recognized for exceptional route planning and navigation skills.
• “Role Model Driver” Award – Presented to drivers and riders who exemplify positive behaviour and actively share knowledge and guidance with fellow drivers through community and social media channels.
• “Grab Good Citizen” Award – Presented to drivers and riders who demonstrate exceptional integrity, public-mindedness, and a commitment to helping passengers and the wider community.
• “Lifelong Learner” Award – Presented to drivers and riders with the highest participation and achievement rates in training offered through the GrabAcademy programme.

To further support drivers and riders in delivering better services, Grab has introduced several new AI-powered features, including:

• “Driver AI Assistant” – An intelligent chatbot integrated into the Grab Driver app that provides personalized answers and recommendations on service optimization, income generation, campaigns and activities, as well as platform policies.
• “Grab Navigation” – A GPS navigation solution powered by GrabMaps that provides route guidance and real-time traffic information within a single platform.
• “Ride Guide” – A feature that recommends high-demand areas and guides drivers to those locations, helping increase their earning opportunities.
• “Grab Emergency” – An AI-enabled safety system that monitors trips in real time, detects unusual situations and risky behaviors, and  safety alerts during journeys.

Additionally, Grab continues to expand its GrabAcademy programme to promote learning and personal development among drivers by introducing a new training course under topic “From Driver to Creator: Turning Stories into Income.” The session features successful driver-influencers who share their knowledge, experiences, and inspiration for creating content on digital platforms. Participants gain practical insights ranging from storytelling techniques and audience engagement strategies to methods turning content into additional income opportunities, opening up new avenues for supplementary income through creative digital channels.

“Over the years, Grab has remained committed to empowering and developing our drivers through continuous investment in technology and innovation that enhance service efficiency, as well as through learning and upskilling opportunities that help them keep pace with a rapidly evolving world and unlock new income opportunities. Our goal is to support people in our ecosystem to continuously improve themselves, enabling them to move forward and grow sustainably alongside the platform,” Chantsuda added.