The Thai government has announced the launch of a new initiative, TouristDigiPay, which will allow foreign tourists to exchange cryptocurrencies for Thai baht to pay for goods and services. The program will start on August 18, 2025, and aims to support the country’s tourism sector, which has seen a decline in visitors, particularly from China.
This is reported by Finway
Terms and Operation of TouristDigiPay
Foreign tourists temporarily staying in Thailand will be able to use the new service by registering with licensed electronic money and digital asset providers. These operators are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT). Additionally, mandatory identity verification will be required in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) regulations.
During a press conference, the initiative will be presented by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavanich along with representatives from the SEC, AMLO, BOT, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The project is being implemented within a regulatory “sandbox” that allows for the testing of innovative financial services while ensuring compliance with safety requirements.
Restrictions and Additional Services for Tourists
To prevent financial crimes, including money laundering, limits have been set on transactions: up to 500,000 baht per month for merchants with card terminals and up to 50,000 baht for small merchants. High-risk companies will not be able to participate in the program. Withdrawals are only possible after closing the account, and cash withdrawals are not provided.
The Bank of Thailand has also announced the development of Tourist Wallet — a separate electronic wallet for foreigners that will allow for convenient payments via QR codes.
According to the statement, in order to use the service, tourists need to register with licensed electronic money and digital asset providers that are regulated by the SEC and BOT. Additionally, mandatory identity verification will be required in accordance with AMLO regulations.
As early as July 2025, cryptocurrency exchanges positively assessed the implementation of the regulatory “sandbox” for tourists, which is expected to promote the development of financial innovations in Thailand.