Thailand Launches Tourist DigiPay
Thailand has launched Tourist DigiPay, a pilot program that lets foreign visitors convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for local spending. The service went live on Aug. 18, 2025, with payments processed via QR codes at merchants nationwide.
The move marks a significant step toward real-world crypto utility in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced the initiative alongside regulators from the Ministry of Finance, the SEC, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Ministry of Tourism.
The scheme runs under an 18-month regulatory sandbox. Spending limits apply: 500,000 baht per month at large retailers and 50,000 baht at smaller shops.
Tourists must pass KYC and AML checks before converting digital assets through licensed exchanges and e-money providers regulated by the SEC and the Bank of Thailand. Merchants receive baht instantly, insulating them from asset price swings like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum’s native token, Ether (ETH).
Thailand Bets on Crypto to Revive Tourism
The launch comes as Thailand faces a tourism slowdown, primarily driven by a drop in Chinese arrivals. By tapping crypto demand, policymakers hope to attract younger, digital-first travelers.
The program is limited to international visitors on temporary stays, keeping it separate from domestic use cases. The government has also clarified that crypto won’t be used directly as a payment method; instead, it will be a conversion tool into fiat, keeping monetary policy intact.
Thailand’s broader strategy is clear: it wants to become a crypto-friendly hub. The country recently extended capital gains tax exemptions on crypto transactions until Dec. 31, 2029, giving investors a five-year window of clarity. This makes Thailand one of the few Asian nations with a long-term legal framework for digital assets.
Elsewhere in Asia, regulators are also shifting gears. India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is consulting exchanges on a new Virtual Digital Assets law while rethinking the controversial 1% TDS levy on trades.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, CMB International Securities—a subsidiary of China Merchants Bank—has launched crypto trading services, signaling a cautious but notable move by a Chinese-backed institution into digital assets.
Thailand’s Tourist DigiPay now stands at the center of these developments, offering a live experiment on whether crypto can fuel real-world spending and tourism growth.