OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Go Plan to 16 New Asian Countries
OpenAI has expanded its low-cost ChatGPT Go plan to 16 new Asian countries, reinforcing its mission to make artificial intelligence (AI) more affordable and accessible to users in emerging markets.
The ChatGPT Go plan is now available in:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam.
According to OpenAI, users in select countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Pakistan can now subscribe using local currencies, while those in the remaining countries will pay approximately $5 USD, depending on tax regulations.
The ChatGPT Go plan includes upgrades over the free version, such as:
- Higher daily message limits
- Enhanced image generation capabilities
- Expanded file and image upload options
- Double memory capacity for more personalised and context-aware interactions
Backstory: Making AI Affordable for Emerging Markets
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Go in August 2025, starting with a rollout in India at a monthly price of ₹399, making it the company’s most affordable paid tier at launch.
India was selected due to its rapidly growing AI adoption rate and the widespread use of mobile payments through systems like UPI, enabling users to pay in rupees instead of U.S. dollars.
Following strong user adoption in India, OpenAI extended ChatGPT Go to Indonesia in September 2025, targeting the region’s fast-growing digital economy. In both markets, users benefited from:
- Extended messaging limits
- Image generation and file uploads
- Increased memory — previously exclusive to premium subscribers
The plan’s success in these countries has now encouraged OpenAI to expand across Asia, where AI usage among small businesses, educators, and content creators continues to surge.
Rapid Growth in Southeast Asia
OpenAI reported that its Southeast Asian user base has quadrupled in recent months, reflecting the growing demand for AI-powered tools across the region.
The company attributed this growth to rising mobile internet adoption, digital literacy, and increasing use of AI in education, content creation, and small business operations.
What You Should Know
OpenAI’s expansion comes amid increasing competition in the AI subscription space. Google, for example, launched its Google AI Plus plan in Indonesia in September and has since expanded it to over 40 countries.
Google’s Plus plan gives subscribers access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, its most advanced AI model, along with creative tools such as:
- Flow – for design creation
- Whisk – for image remixing
- Veo 3 Fast – for video generation
Additionally, Google’s plan includes 200GB of cloud storage, appealing to professionals and creators who value integrated productivity and creative tools.
OpenAI’s Global Milestones
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that ChatGPT now has 800 million weekly active users worldwide, up from 700 million in August 2025. The platform also supports over 4 million developers building on OpenAI’s ecosystem, processing more than 6 billion tokens per minute via its API.
The company’s weekly active users surpassed 400 million in February 2025, highlighting explosive global adoption across both free and paid tiers.
Despite rapid growth, OpenAI continues to operate at a loss, reportedly posting a $7.8 billion operating deficit in the first half of 2025, as it heavily invests in infrastructure, AI model training, and global expansion.
What ChatGPT Go Means for Asia
The expansion of ChatGPT Go marks a major step toward AI democratisation in Asia. By offering local currency support and affordable access, OpenAI is bridging the gap between advanced AI capabilities and everyday users in emerging markets.
From students and teachers to small business owners and creators, the ChatGPT Go plan provides a scalable entry point for those seeking premium AI tools without premium pricing.
