# Thailand Launches “TouristDigiPay” to Revitalize Tourism Sector with Crypto-to-Baht Conversion

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/banking/239847-thailand-launches-touristdigipay-to-revitalize-tourism-sector-with-crypto-to-baht-conversion
- Published: 2025-08-18T16:29:51+07:00
- Author: Li Zhong

The Thai government is introducing a new initiative, “TouristDigiPay,” aimed at 
bolstering its tourism industry, which has recently faced a significant downturn.
This program will empower foreign tourists to convert their cryptocurrency holdings
into Thai Baht for use in electronic payments across the country.

The initiative is designed to address the slowdown in tourism, particularly the 
decline in visitors from China, by offering an innovative payment solution. The 
official launch is set for Monday, August 18, and will be detailed at a press conference
featuring key government officials.

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Key features and requirements of the TouristDigiPay scheme include:

 * **Currency Conversion:** Tourists will be able to exchange digital assets for
   Thai Baht.
 * **Eligibility:** The service is exclusively for foreign tourists who are temporarily
   residing in Thailand.
 * **Account Requirements:** Participants must open accounts with regulated digital
   asset and e-money providers.
 * **Regulatory Oversight:** The program will operate within a regulatory ‘sandbox’
   to ensure proper oversight and risk management.
 * **Customer Due Diligence:** Strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering(
   AML) checks are mandatory for all participants.

To mitigate the risk of financial crime and money laundering, the program incorporates
several safeguards:

 * **Spending Limits:** Monthly spending caps are in place, with a limit of 500,000
   baht for merchants equipped with card terminals and 50,000 baht for smaller, 
   general merchants.
 * **Transaction Restrictions:** Transactions are prohibited at businesses identified
   as high-risk for money laundering activities.
 * **Withdrawal Policy:** Direct cash withdrawals from top-up balances are not permitted.
   Funds can only be withdrawn upon the closure of a tourist’s account.

In parallel, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is developing a “Tourist Wallet” to further
simplify QR code payments for foreign visitors. This wallet is planned to eventually
integrate foreign debit and credit cards, enhancing the payment experience for international
travelers in Thailand.

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### 💸 How TouristDigiPay Works

TouristDigiPay enables foreign tourists to:

 * Convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht
 * Make electronic payments via QR code scanning
 * Avoid direct cash withdrawals, reducing risks of financial crime

To participate, tourists must open accounts with **regulated digital asset businesses**
and **e-money providers**, and pass **Know Your Customer (KYC)** and **anti-money
laundering (AML)** checks.

### 🧪 A Regulatory Sandbox Approach

The scheme operates within a **regulatory sandbox** overseen by the **Bank of Thailand(
BOT)** and the **Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)**. This framework ensures:

 * Controlled testing of financial innovation
 * Monthly spending limits to maintain financial stability
 * Restrictions on high-risk transactions

Spending caps include:

 * **฿500,000/month** for merchants with card terminals
 * **฿50,000/month** for small general merchants

Withdrawals are only permitted upon account closure, preventing misuse of top-up
balances.

### 🧳 Who Can Use It?

Only **foreign tourists temporarily staying in Thailand** are eligible. The service
is designed to facilitate payments for visitors from countries without cross-border
QR payment agreements.

According to **Naphongthawat Phothikit**, senior director at BOT’s Payment Systems
and Financial Technology Policy Department, the central bank is also developing 
a **“Tourist Wallet”** to support future integration with foreign debit and credit
cards.