Thailand to Launch Crypto Payment Sandbox for Tourists in 2025 - Coinedict

Thailand is preparing to roll out a new crypto payment sandbox designed to make travel easier for foreign visitors. The program, called “TouristDigiPay,” will allow tourists to convert their cryptocurrencies into Thai baht and spend electronically across the country.

The sandbox is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will run for 18 months, according to an announcement from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 18. The project is a joint effort between the SEC, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).

How the TouristDigiPay Will Work

• Tourists will be able to exchange crypto for Thai baht through authorized e-money service providers.
• Merchants will receive baht only — crypto payments won’t be accepted directly.
• KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks will be mandatory for both tourists and service providers.
• Safeguards include monthly spending limits and a ban on direct cash withdrawals.

SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon explained that the initiative will expand on Thailand’s regulated digital asset system and include risk management measures to protect both travelers and local businesses.

Why Thailand Is Turning to Crypto

Tourism is one of Thailand’s largest industries, but the country has seen a slowdown in 2025. In the first half of the year, Thailand welcomed 16.8 million tourists, a drop from 17.7 million during the same period in 2024. Visitor numbers from China fell by 34%, while arrivals from East Asia dropped 24%, according to the World Tourism Institute.

This decline has pushed officials to look for new ways to revive tourism. By making travel payments easier through crypto, Thailand hopes to attract younger, tech-savvy travelers and gain a competitive edge over regional rivals like Japan and Vietnam, which have become more affordable destinations.

Part of a Bigger Global Trend

Thailand is not alone in experimenting with crypto payments in tourism:

• Bhutan partnered with Binance Pay to allow visitors to pay with crypto.
• UAE airlines now accept crypto for flight bookings.
• Blue Origin even offers space tourists the option to pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and stablecoins.

Thailand’s TouristDigiPay project reflects a growing global trend of combining crypto and travel. With tighter safeguards and a focus on user-friendly payments, the sandbox could help Thailand regain momentum in its tourism sector while positioning itself as a forward-looking destination for international travelers.