Thailand has rolled out an ambitious 18-month pilot program called TouristDigiPay, giving international travelers a new way to spend while exploring the country. Launched on August 18, 2025, the initiative enables visitors to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for everyday purchases, aiming to boost the nation’s tourism industry with modern payment options.
How the Program Works
TouristDigiPay is not a system for direct crypto payments. Instead, it converts digital assets into baht, which are stored in a Tourist Wallet. Travelers can then pay merchants through electronic methods like QR codes.
To join, foreign visitors must:
- Register with regulated Thai crypto exchanges and e-money providers.
- Complete Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT).
- Observe strict anti-money laundering safeguards, managed in coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).
Spending caps are in place. Tourists can convert up to 550,000 baht (around $16,900) during the pilot. Monthly limits include 500,000 baht for larger merchants with card terminals and 50,000 baht for smaller vendors. Cash withdrawals are not allowed until the wallet is closed.
Security and Oversight
The project runs under Thailand’s regulatory sandbox, which enforces strong compliance rules. Safeguards include:
- No direct crypto spending.
- No cash withdrawals until the Tourist Wallet is closed.
- Restrictions on high-risk merchants.
These measures are designed to prevent money laundering while giving travelers a safe and straightforward payment experience.
The launch of TouristDigiPay reflects Thailand’s broader strategy to attract more international visitors, especially as tourist arrivals remain below pre-pandemic levels. Officials hope the convenience of crypto-to-baht conversions will appeal to tech-savvy travelers, with projections suggesting as many as 10 million crypto-using tourists could arrive by 2026.
For visitors, the system offers a smoother way to spend without worrying about exchange hassles, while Thailand positions itself as one of the most forward-thinking destinations in the region.
