Thailand Tests Crypto Payments for Tourists with New ‘TouristDigiPay’ System
Thailand has launched a new program that lets foreign visitors spend cryptocurrency during their stay, aiming to make travel more convenient and boost the country’s tourism sector.
The pilot project, called TouristDigiPay, began on August 18, 2025. It allows tourists to convert their crypto into Thai baht and use it to pay at local shops, hotels, and restaurants through Thailand’s popular QR PromptPay system. The initiative will run for 18 months under the supervision of the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
To use the service, travelers must register with approved providers and go through identity checks. Once onboard, they can transfer their crypto into a special Tourist Wallet, which automatically converts it into baht. Merchants never deal with crypto directly. when a visitor scans the QR code, the shop receives baht instantly, just as if a local customer made the payment.
Limits are in place to prevent abuse. Tourists can spend up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) per month at large businesses such as hotels, while smaller vendors are capped at 50,000 baht. Cash withdrawals are not allowed, and high-risk businesses are excluded.
Officials see this as a way to attract new groups of travelers, such as digital nomads and crypto users, who often spend more and prefer digital payments. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said the system could “support tourism and increase spending” in its early stages.
Tourism is a key part of Thailand’s economy. Before the pandemic, the sector made up nearly 20% of GDP, with almost 40 million visitors in 2019. But recovery has been uneven especially with fewer Chinese tourists returning so the government is looking for ways to diversify and add value.
Analysts estimate that if just 5% of expected 2025 tourism revenue flows through TouristDigiPay, it could handle over $3 billion in transactions. That would also give local fintech companies a major boost and position Thailand as a regional leader in linking crypto with tourism.
While this is only a test run, officials believe it could set the stage for wider adoption of blockchain-based payments. Neighboring countries like Vietnam and Cambodia rely heavily on tourism but have yet to explore crypto in this way.
For now, Thailand is using tourism as a safe testing ground. If the project succeeds, it could help modernize the country’s financial system, reduce costs for businesses, and give visitors a smoother, more digital-friendly travel experience.