Over an 18-month sandbox, foreign visitors can convert cryptocurrencies up to 550,000 baht (~$17K) into e-wallets for local spending, under strict AML and KYC supervision.
Highlights
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Tourist-Focused Crypto Conversion: Thailand introduces the 18-month TouristDigiPay pilot, enabling foreign tourists to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht via licensed exchanges, to spend locally through e-wallets such as QR code payments.
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Spending Caps & Anti-Fraud Controls: The conversion program includes a cap of 550,000 baht (~$17,000) per tourist to mitigate money laundering risks. Stringent KYC/AML checks and sandbox regulations uphold safeguards across the ecosystem.
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Tourism Recovery Strategy: Aimed at revitalizing tourism, the initiative could boost early tourist spending and support economic recovery. Thailand projects a 10% rise in tourist expenditure, potentially injecting 175 billion baht—especially amid a forecasted dip in arrivals to 33 million.
Summary
Thailand has launched TouristDigiPay, an innovative pilot program allowing foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht to make local payments using regulated e-wallets. The 18-month sandbox, beginning late 2025, operates under tight KYC/AML requirements and caps conversions at 550,000 baht (~$17,000) per tourist to prevent financial abuse.
By facilitating seamless crypto-to-fiat conversion, Thailand hopes to rejuvenate its tourism sector—currently projected at 33 million arrivals in 2025—by encouraging early spending and positioning the nation as a tech-forward, crypto-friendly destination. The 10% projected increase in tourist spending could generate up to 175 billion baht in economic gains.
