Thailand is trying a fresh approach to welcome back tourists. The nation has launched a new pilot program called "TouristDigiPay." This initiative lets international visitors convert their digital currencies into local Thai baht. They can then use this local money for electronic payments across the country.
The program started on Monday, according to reports from The Nation. It aims to boost tourism, which has seen fewer visitors, especially from China. It also reflects a growing global interest in digital money.
This pilot will run for 18 months. Pichai Chunhavajira, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, announced the plan. It operates within a special controlled environment, or "sandbox." This setup is overseen by several key groups: the Ministry of Finance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
TouristDigiPay lets travelers trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for Thai baht. They do this through regulated platforms. Once converted, the baht can be used at various businesses nationwide.
Boosting Tourism with Smart Finance
This program comes after a public consultation by the SEC. That consultation, which ended on August 13, looked into how digital assets could help grow the economy and tourism. Officials say TouristDigiPay addresses how travelers now pay for things. More people use electronic payments, and interest in digital currencies is rising.
However, officials made one thing clear. This program is not about promoting digital currencies as a direct way to pay. Instead, it’s a tool to make transactions in Thai baht easier.
To join, foreign visitors must open accounts with specific digital asset providers and electronic money service providers. These must be regulated by the SEC and the Bank of Thailand (BOT). Visitors also need to pass strict identity checks (KYC) and due diligence. This follows AMLO rules to stop money laundering. Only tourists staying temporarily in Thailand can use this service.
Digital Wallets and Spending Limits
The Bank of Thailand worked with e-money service providers to create a "Tourist Wallet." This digital wallet allows visitors to pay using QR codes. It’s especially helpful for people from countries without direct payment agreements with Thailand. Examples include Singapore, Malaysia, or China (using UnionPay).
Tourists can add money to their wallets in several ways. They can use cash at provider counters, foreign debit or credit cards, or international bank transfers.
To lower the risk of financial crimes, the program sets spending limits. Tourists can spend up to 500,000 baht (about USD $13,800) each month at shops with card terminals. For smaller stores, the limit is 50,000 baht. Cash withdrawals are not allowed. Tourists can only get their money back when they close their accounts, not through regular balance withdrawals. Shops considered high-risk for money laundering, based on AMLO guidelines, cannot take part in these transactions.
Crypto Conversion Still Under Review
Even though TouristDigiPay includes the option to convert cryptocurrencies to local currency, this specific feature is still awaiting official regulatory review. This review will continue until mid-August. The SEC is checking if regulated exchanges and custodians can handle these conversions safely. They want to ensure rules against money laundering and the use of "mule" accounts are followed. Until this process finishes, crypto users cannot spend directly through the wallet.
For now, the digital wallet works as an electronic money system based on Thai baht. It offers easy QR code payments. The Bank of Thailand plans to add more features to the Tourist Wallet later. They want to link it directly with foreign debit and credit cards. This will make transactions even simpler for visitors.
Thailand Leads with Pioneering Rules
Thailand stands out as one of the first countries to create clear legal and tax rules for digital currencies. In July 2025, the government approved a proposal from the Ministry of Finance. This proposal exempts capital gains from crypto transactions until December 31, 2029. This shows Thailand’s strong commitment to new financial ideas.
This supportive rule-making, combined with efforts like TouristDigiPay, places Thailand at the forefront of financial technology for tourism. It makes the country especially appealing to travelers interested in digital assets.
With TouristDigiPay, Thailand aims to do more than just revive its tourism industry. It also seeks to become a leader in using new technologies. If this pilot program succeeds, it could set an example for other countries looking to use cryptocurrencies to help their tourism sectors.