In a move to boost its digital economy, Thailand introduced the TouristDigiPay program on August 18, 2025, enabling international travelers to seamlessly convert popular cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for local electronic transactions. Spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, with support from the Ministry of Finance and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand [1], this initiative aims to modernize the tourism sector.
The core of TouristDigiPay lies in its user-friendly digital wallets, compatible with platforms like TrueMoney and ShopeePay. Tourists can store and convert digital currencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) into baht, simplifying payments for both visitors and local businesses [2].
A central component is the Tourist Wallet, which can be linked to a user’s e-money account and connected to their foreign debit or credit cards. The system facilitates real-time cryptocurrency conversions at participating retailers, ensuring a straightforward payment process. To address concerns about price fluctuations, the program incorporates stablecoins—digital currencies whose value is tied to traditional assets such as the U.S. dollar—providing a more stable and reliable payment option [3]. TouristDigiPay also includes anti-money laundering measures and transaction limits to comply with international financial standards [4].
TouristDigiPay is anticipated to attract tech-savvy tourists and reinforce Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking digital destination. With projected arrivals of 40 million international tourists this year, the program is designed to revitalize tourism and support economic growth. Local vendors will benefit from faster payment processing and reduced transaction costs compared to conventional card systems [5]. The initiative underscores Thailand’s ambition to be a leader in Southeast Asia’s fintech sector [6].
Economically, the program seeks to minimize the expenses associated with traditional currency exchange and payment methods, while simultaneously encouraging broader adoption of digital finance. However, its success will depend on the digital proficiency of local businesses and the continued use of crypto payments by both tourists and merchants [7]. The program operates within a regulatory sandbox, which promotes innovation while adhering to financial regulations [8].
Pichai Chunhavajira has hailed the initiative as a step toward enhanced global financial integration and digital transformation, reiterating Thailand’s dedication to financial innovation and tourism development [9]. By embracing crypto-based payment solutions, Thailand is setting an example for how nations can adapt to the evolving financial environment and appeal to digitally-inclined travelers.
Source:
[1] Cointelegraph – https://cointelegraph.com/news/thailand-plans-launch-crypto-payment-tourists
[2] CoinCentral – https://coincentral.com/thailand-to-roll-out-touristdigipay-for-crypto-payments-in-baht/
[3] Bitcoin.com – https://news.bitcoin.com/thailand-to-allow-foreign-visitors-to-convert-crypto-for-payments/
[4] AInvest – https://www.ainvest.com/news/thailand-crypto-enabled-tourism-sandbox-fintech-driven-catalyst-southeast-asia-digital-renaissance-2508/
[5] FXLeaders – https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2025/08/18/thailand-launches-crypto-to-baht-touristdigipay-for-40m-visitors/
[6] Bitcoinist.com – https://bitcoinist.com/crypto-goes-tropical-thailand-welcomes-tourist-spending-in-bitcoin-and-more/
[7] Traders – https://tradersunion.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/show/440937-thailand-unveils-nationwide-crypto-payment-sandbox/
[8] Travel – https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/thailand-revolutionizes-travel-with-crypto-payments-for-an-effortless-vacation-heres-what-travellers-need-to-know/
[9] CoinMarketCap – https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68a2d77ac5c06c674880b24a/