Thailand will launch the TouristDigiPay scheme on Monday, allowing visitors to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for electronic payments.
The nationwide initiative will serve as a Thailand crypto payment sandbox, according to The Nation.
Tourists will be able to exchange digital assets and spend them through regulated e-money service providers. Only foreign visitors in Thailand will be eligible.
They must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and open accounts with digital asset businesses and e-money providers approved by the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Authorities confirmed restrictions, including monthly spending limits and a block on direct cash withdrawals. Full details of the TouristDigiPay program will be presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira on Monday.
Thailand Tourism Decline and Crypto Payments
Officials are introducing the Thailand crypto payment sandbox as part of efforts to support the country’s tourism sector.
Thailand welcomed 16.8 million tourists in the first half of 2025, compared to 17.7 million in the same period last year.
Data from the World Tourism Institute showed a 24% drop in East Asian arrivals and a 34% decline in Chinese tourists. China has long been one of Thailand’s largest tourism markets.
The institute reported that many travelers are choosing regional alternatives, pointing to Japan’s weaker yen and the lower costs of visiting Vietnam.
“Thailand’s 5% tourism decline in 2025 underlines the urgent need for diversification, market repositioning, and enhanced visitor experiences to compete in a changing regional landscape,” the report stated.
Crypto Payments Already on Thailand’s Agenda
The Thailand crypto regulation framework has been under review for several months. On August 13, the country’s SEC completed a public consultation on using digital assets for tourism and economic growth.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira first mentioned TouristDigiPay during an investment seminar in Bangkok on May 26.
The announcement followed a January 2025 pilot program in Phuket, one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations.
That program, which aims to let tourists pay for goods and services with cryptocurrencies, is still ongoing.
By launching the TouristDigiPay sandbox, regulators will test how crypto payments in Thailand function under controlled rules before considering wider applications.
Global Crypto Payments in Tourism
Thailand’s move follows other countries linking crypto payments with tourism. In Bhutan, Binance Pay partnered with DK Bank to enable visitors to settle expenses in cryptocurrencies.
The United Arab Emirates signed a deal with Crypto.com in July 2025, allowing passengers to pay for flights and in-flight purchases using digital assets.
In private industry, Blue Origin, the aerospace company owned by Jeff Bezos, partnered with Shift4 Payments on August 11 to accept Bitcoin (BTC $115,465), Ether (ETH $4,333), Solana (SOL $182.81), and stablecoins USDT and USDC for space travel bookings.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Kriptoworld.com accepts no liability for any errors in the articles or for any financial loss resulting from incorrect information.
Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: August 4, 2025 • 🔄 Last updated: August 4, 2025
