No one plans to be in debt, and certainly no one wants to start over in their late 40s. But sometimes, life doesn’t give us a heads-up. For some, the day they lose their job, their income, and their support system is the day they have to choose: give up or rise again. For “Heart” Phongsak  Kantachote and “Aor” Chuttikan​ Paopang​, they chose to rise, even when they had nothing but determination and an unbreakable spirit.

Starting from Zero to The Rise of a Delivery Legend

Phongsak  Kantachote, better known as “Heart”, is a 50-year-old GrabFood driver from Korat, now based in Bangkok. As the head of his household, he faced an incredibly tough period in his life. Before COVID-19, he worked abroad in Laos and South Korea, earning a stable 45,000 baht per month—more than enough to support his family. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, his income vanished. This happened at the worst possible time, just as his daughter was preparing to enter medical school, an educational path that came with significant expenses.

“I was incredibly stressed,” he recalled. “I had no income, but the bills kept piling up. All I could think was: I have to find a way to earn money.” That’s when his friend suggested he sign up to drive with Grab.

“I remember it clearly—I started on Thai Family Day, April 14th. My first order was from Jae Buay near Khlong Toei intersection,” he shared with a smile. “At first, I just wanted to try it out but it quickly became my main source of income, genuinely helping me support my family.”

With Grab, income started flowing in regularly. It wasn’t much at first, but it was enough to regain his footing. Still, his daughter’s tuition was a major, unavoidable expense. He looked into loans but hit the same old roadblocks: no proof of income or payslips, which banks required. He also felt uncomfortable asking relatives for help. That’s when he discovered GrabFin, a finance service that makes loans more accessible for driver-partners like him, using his in-app records as proof of credibility.

“In less than five minutes, the money was in my account. No extra documents were needed because Grab already had my service history,” he explained. He received over 40,000 baht in cash credit, which became his financial lifeline, helping with school fees, daily expenses, and emergency needs.

Heart made the most of every opportunity. He consistently accepted orders, worked hard every day, and committed to excellent service. His effort paid off as he climbed the ranks to become a “GrabBike Elite+”–a top-tier Geb driver. This status unlocked exclusive benefits, including lower interest rates through GrabFin, motorcycle insurance, accident coverage, and many other welfare benefits that support drivers.

“As long as you’re disciplined, hard-working, and consistent with your rides–being in the right place at the right time–orders will increase, and your goals become clearer,” he said proudly.

He concluded with a beaming smile, “ My daughter has now graduated as a doctor. For a father, nothing could be better than that.”

Driving Every Mile for a Happier Home

Another inspiring story comes from “Aor” Chuttikan​ Paopang, a 45-year-old single mom from Bangkok. Her story is one of resilience and renewal, of fighting back for her family when life took a turn–unstable income, rising household costs, and mounting informal debt. The only thing she believed in then was that she had to “change her life herself”.

Aor had spent over a decade working as an accountant in a gold shop. But when the business took a hit and had to lay off most of its staff, she shifted to freelance accounting. It covered her own needs, but wasn’t enough for a household of four, including her mother, brother, and son.

“The regular income wasn’t enough for school fees, household expenses, utilities, and food. Some months, I even had to rely on loan shark,” she said. That’s when she decided to start driving with Grab as a side job in late 2023. It required no upfront investment, was trustworthy, and allowed her to manage her working hours. The income from the rides helped Aor stabilize her monthly finances. 

But when the new school term approached, Aor knew her current earnings wouldn’t be enough to cover the large upcoming expenses. She was also juggling a debt of 50,000 baht, which was accumulating interest. That’s when she decided to apply for a loan with GrabFin. “I was confident I could repay it because I already drove for Grab, and with the daily deduction system, I knew I could pay off the debt,” she explained.

By combining her freelance accounting work with consistent Grab driving shifts, she managed to clear her informal debt within three to four months. The financial pressure lifted, and her household began to breathe easier, with Grab as the backbone of their recovery.

Every day, Aor divides her time with precision. She drives from 6 a.m. to early afternoon, then switches to accounting work until evening. Her discipline and planning paid off as she’s now a “GrabCar Elite”, a driver tier that unlocks benefits like free fuel coupons and access to installment plans for electronics. “Driving with Grab gives me not only extra income, but also access to meaningful benefits,” she said. “And it’s a very safe job, especially for women like me.” 

From once worrying how to support her family, today, Aor stands tall with stability, purpose, and pride. “To anyone looking for a reliable income or stable side job, driving with Grab is an opportunity you can truly take into your own hands,” she affirms.