“Thailand Uses Tourism Industry as Testbed for Regulated Crypto Adoption”

Thailand Launches TouristDigiPay: New Crypto Payment System for Visitors..

Bangkok, Aug. 18, 2025 — Thailand has officially launched TouristDigiPay, a state-backed system that allows foreign visitors to spend cryptocurrency in baht using the country’s nationwide QR code payment network. The pilot program, supervised by the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aims to make the country more attractive to digital-savvy travelers while tightening oversight of crypto flows.

Crypto Payments Integrated into Daily Thai Life...

Tourists can now register with approved providers, complete identity checks, and access a dedicated Tourist Wallet. Once onboard, they can convert crypto into Thai baht and make purchases simply by scanning PromptPay QR codes, already used by more than 70% of Thai consumers.

From luxury hotels in Bangkok to street vendors in Phuket, merchants receive baht directly in their accounts. They never handle crypto, avoiding volatility risks, while tourists avoid high card fees and currency exchange hassles.

Why Thailand Tied Crypto to Tourism..

Tourism is a backbone of Thailand’s economy, once accounting for nearly 20% of GDP. In 2019, 40 million visitors spent $62 billion, but the pandemic slashed arrivals to under 7 million in 2020. Recovery remains incomplete, with 2025 arrivals still 34% below pre-pandemic levels, particularly due to fewer Chinese tourists.

Officials see digital nomads, remote workers, and crypto holders—who typically spend more per trip—as a growth market. Surveys show 15% of adults worldwide own crypto, with adoption even higher across Asia, making Thailand’s move a strategic play to lure high-value visitors.

Inside the TouristDigiPay Wallet..

Registration: Visitors sign up with licensed providers and link the wallet to an e-money partner.
Conversion: Crypto deposits are auto-converted into baht.
Spending: Tourists scan QR codes; merchants receive instant baht settlement.
Limits: Large businesses can process up to 500,000 baht/month per tourist; smaller vendors are capped at 50,000 baht.
Restrictions: No cash withdrawals, and high-risk sectors are excluded.

Authorities are treating the initiative as a regulatory sandbox with oversight from the Bank of Thailand, SEC, Anti-Money Laundering Office, and Ministry of Tourism.

Cutting Costs, Boosting Local Vendors..

TouristDigiPay also aims to reduce heavy reliance on card networks, which charge merchants 2–3% fees and delay settlements for days. By converting crypto into baht instantly, the system could save millions in transaction costs. Analysts estimate if 5% of 2025 tourism revenue flows through TouristDigiPay, transaction volumes could surpass $3 billion.

Thailand’s Wider Crypto Strategy..

Thailand has emerged as a regional leader in crypto adoption and regulation:

Ranked 16th in Chainalysis’ 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index.
Bitkub and Binance TH operate licensed exchanges with direct baht on/off ramps.
Tax incentives include a 5-year personal income tax exemption on crypto gains (2025–2029).
The Bank of Thailand is piloting a retail CBDC and cross-border settlement via Project Nexus (2026).

TouristDigiPay fits into this broader strategy—offering real-world crypto use while keeping regulatory safeguards intact.

What’s Next?

Whether TouristDigiPay remains a pilot or becomes a permanent feature depends on adoption, security, and regulatory outcomes. But if successful, it could:

Boost Thailand’s appeal to crypto tourists.
Prove that crypto payments can integrate into mainstream economies without destabilizing merchants.
Pressure neighboring ASEAN countries to explore similar initiatives.

For now, Thailand has positioned itself as the first major tourist economy to link crypto directly to daily spending—from a Krabi resort stay to a Bangkok shopping spree.

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“Thailand Uses Tourism Industry as Testbed for Regulated Crypto Adoption”