The Thai government is set to introduce a new crypto payment system that allows tourists to convert crypto to Thai baht for transactions using QR codes.
Thailand has announced the launch of TouristDigiPay, a new payment system allowing international visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht. The scheme, introduced on 18 August 2025, represents a major step forward in the country’s digital financial innovation strategy.
The new platform will allow tourists to use converted funds through QR code payments at participating merchants across Thailand. It aims to strengthen the country’s position as a crypto-friendly tourist destination, providing greater convenience for travellers by bypassing traditional foreign exchange channels.
TouristDigiPay will operate within a regulatory sandbox and be overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT). This structured framework allows authorities to monitor transactions while encouraging financial innovation in a carefully controlled environment.
How will TouristDigiPay work?
To access the service, visitors must undergo strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks during registration. They are also required to open accounts with licensed e-money providers to ensure digital payments are completed safely and securely.
Monthly spending limits have been set between 50,000 and 500,000 baht depending on the type of merchant involved. Tourists are not permitted to withdraw cash directly, with funds limited to electronic use for services and purchases.
Any unused balances can only be withdrawn when closing the Tourist Wallet at the end of a trip. This safeguard has been implemented to ensure that the system remains focused on travel spending rather than unrestricted cash movement.
Thailand seeks to address tourism decline
The initiative comes as Thailand faces a worrying decline in its most important tourist group, Chinese visitors down 20% in 2025. Government officials hope further crypto integration will attract new demographics of travellers and help it compete with Japan and Vietnam.
White the country welcomed 16.8 million tourists in the first half of the year, this was down from 17.7 million during the same period in 2024. The recent drop in arrivals from East Asia has highlighted the urgent need for market diversification and improved visitor experiences to support long-term tourism growth.
The Thai administration believes that crypto-enabled payments can turn around its fortunes by delivering a smoother travel experience for tourists. The Tourist Wallet, developed by the Bank of Thailand, is designed to ensure speedy payments through QR codes used nationwide.
Going forward, the project’s success will ultimately depend on merchant adoption and ease of use for visitors and local businesses. Training and onboarding programmes for merchants will be critical to how the payment system works, particularly in popular tourist destinations.
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