Thailand has just launched TouristDigiPay, a groundbreaking payment system that allows foreign visitors to convert their cryptocurrency into Thai baht. If you are a business owner in Thailand, this is not just another payment option. It’s your gateway to a whole new customer base of tech-savvy, high-spending international tourists.
The program will officially start in Q4 2025 and run as an 18-month regulatory sandbox until mid-2027. This trial period is a golden opportunity for forward-thinking businesses like yours to position yourselves at the forefront of the digital tourism revolution.
Why should you care? Because crypto-holding tourists are already arriving, and they’re looking for places to spend. Businesses that prepare now will capture this lucrative market segment while competitors are still figuring out what’s happening. The best part? If you already accept QR payments through PromptPay, you’re technically ready to start accepting these customers today.
Get to Know About TouristDigiPay
How the System Works
TouristDigiPay is not as complicated as it might sound. Let us simplify it for you.
Tourists convert their cryptocurrency into baht through licensed providers, then spend that baht at your business through the existing QR payment system. You never touch cryptocurrency; you only receive regular baht.
The Tourist Wallet integrates seamlessly with Thailand’s PromptPay infrastructure—the same QR payment system millions of Thais use daily. For businesses, this means zero technical changes.
If you can accept QR payments now, you can accept TouristDigiPay.
Key Parameters
Timeline: The 18-month trial runs from Q4 2025 through Q2 2027. After this period, the government will evaluate its success and potentially make it permanent or expand it.
Spending limits:
- Businesses with card terminals: Up to 500,000 baht per tourist per month
- Small merchants: Up to 50,000 baht per tourist per month
These are substantial amounts—a single crypto tourist could potentially spend more in a month than dozens of regular customers.
Who can use it: Only foreign tourists on temporary stays in Thailand.
Expected providers:
- Gulf Binance
- Bitkub
- Satang
- Upbit Thailand
- Traditional Banks
The Crypto Tourist Market
Who Are They?
Crypto tourists aren’t a monolithic group, but they share certain characteristics that make them valuable customers.
- Digital Nomads and DTV Holders
Thailand’s new Destination Thailand Visa attracts remote workers who often hold cryptocurrency as part of their location-independent lifestyle. They stay longer and spend more than traditional tourists. - Tech-Savvy International Travellers
These visitors from crypto-friendly countries like Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, and the United States are comfortable with digital assets and prefer cashless transactions. - High-Value Tourists
Crypto holders tend to have higher disposable income. They’re not backpackers counting every baht—they’re looking for quality experiences and are willing to pay for them. - Young Professionals
Most crypto tourists are aged 25-45, professionally employed or self-employed, and value convenience and innovation in their travel experiences.
Market Potential
Tourism contributes approximately 12% of Thailand’s GDP, but the sector has struggled recently with Chinese tourist arrivals dropping 33% in early 2025. TouristDigiPay addresses this gap by attracting a different demographic entirely.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira estimates the program could boost tourist spending by 10% — approximately 175 billion baht. Even capturing a small fraction of this means significant revenue for prepared businesses.
A single crypto tourist with a 500,000 baht monthly spending limit could equal the spending of 20-30 budget travellers. These kinds of customers are premium ones who are willing to pay for quality service.
Why Your Business Should Care
Immediate Benefits
- You pay the same transaction fees as regular PromptPay payments. No special equipment, no cryptocurrency knowledge required, no hidden costs.
- Crypto tourists represent the high end of the tourist market. They book better rooms, order premium menu items, and purchase higher-value products.
- During this 18-month sandbox, early adopters will establish themselves as crypto-friendly destinations.
- Accepting TouristDigiPay signals that your business is modern, innovative, and internationally oriented.
Long-term Opportunities
- If the program becomes permanent (which seems likely given government support), businesses with 18 months of experience will have a massive advantage over late adopters.
- Preparing for TouristDigiPay strengthens your overall digital payment capabilities, making you ready for whatever payment innovations come next.
- Crypto tourists tend to be creatures of habit. Once they find businesses that accommodate their payment preferences, they return and recommend to their networks.
- Early adoption opens doors for partnerships with licensed providers, hotels, and tour operators looking to create crypto-friendly travel packages.
Getting Your Business Ready
If you accept PromptPay or QR payments, you’re 90% ready. Here is how to verify and optimise your setup.
- Check your QR code display. Make sure QR codes are clearly visible, and place them at eye level. Also have backup printed codes.
- Test your system. Process a test payment to ensure everything works, and check if payment notifications arrive on time.
- Understand the flow. Firstly, tourists scan your QR code, enter the amount in their Tourist Wallet app, confirm the payment, and you receive an instant notification and baht.
Aside from you, your team also needs to understand TouristDigipay to serve these customers confidently. They must have knowledge of the following questions.
- What is TouristDigiPay?
- How does payment work?
- What do we receive?
- Are there special requirements?
You should also prepare for possible language barriers. You can prepare simple English explanations, consider learning basic phrases in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, or use visual aids showing the payment process.
Strategies Per Sector
Hotels and Accommodation
Hotels have the most to gain from TouristDigiPay, with the 500,000 baht monthly limit easily covering extended stays, room upgrades, and hotel services.
Strategies:
- Promote during booking on international platforms
- Train reception staff thoroughly (they’re your first point of contact)
- Offer “Crypto Tourist Packages” with simplified payment setup assistance
- Partner with licensed providers for streamlined guest onboarding
Restaurants and Entertainment
Restaurants can capture both single high-value meals and repeat customers staying long-term.
Strategies:
- Display TouristDigiPay acceptance prominently at the entrance
- Train waitstaff to explain the payment option proactively
- Create “Digital Nomad Specials” or “Crypto Tourist Menus”
- List on crypto-friendly restaurant directories and apps
Retail and Shopping
Retail businesses can benefit from tourists’ higher spending power and preference for unique, high-quality items.
Strategies:
- Position acceptance stickers at point-of-sale
- Offer tax refund assistance along with TouristDigiPay
- Create shopping packages for crypto tourists
- Market luxury items to this premium segment
Small Merchants and Street Vendors
Even small merchants can tap into this market with the 50,000 baht monthly limit.
Strategies:
- Ensure that your QR codes are weather-protected and visible
- Learn key phrases: “Crypto OK,” “Scan QR,” “TouristDigiPay”
- Partner with nearby larger businesses for customer referrals
- Join merchant associations promoting digital payments
Your Next 30 Days
| Week 1: Assessment | Days 1-3
Days 4-7
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| Week 2: Preparation | Days 8-10
Days 11-14
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| Week 3: Implementation | Days 15-17
Days 18-21
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| Week 4: Optimisation | Days 22-24
Days 25-30
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Seize the Moment
Thailand is pioneering the future of tourism payments with TouristDigiPay, and your business has a chance to be part of this innovation from day one. The 18-month period is your window of opportunity to adopt early and get ahead of the competition.
The digital revolution isn’t coming to your doorstep. It’s already here. Open the door and welcome it in.
If you are in need of corporate services, such as accounting and withholding tax services, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Reliance Consulting.
