Thailand has been reportedly planning a national sandbox regulation that allows foreign visitors to convert crypto to local currency for electronic payments to a bid to boost tourism.
Known as TouristDigipay, the scheme is expected to live on Monday and allow users that Replace cryptocurrencies For Thai Baht and make electronic payments through the E-Money Service Provider, According to In a report on Saturday from the local newspaper the country.
Only Thailand tourists are eligible to use the service after finding out your customer checks due to the test and opening of an account with a digital asset business and an E-Money provider controlled by the Bank of Thailand and the country’s security and exchange commission.
There will also be care such as monthly spending limits and a block in direct cash removal. However, the full details of the TouristDigipay initiative will be reported to be released on Monday by Deputy Prime Minister and Financial Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
Officials expect crypto can boost tourism
The TouristDigipay scheme is an attempt to breathe new life in the Thai tourism industry, and a direct response to slowing down foreign visitors, especially from China, which has long been considered an industry foundation, reported by the country.
Thailand accepted nearly 16.8 million tourists in the first half of 2025, down from 17.7 million at the same time last year, with a 24% collapse of tourists from East Asia and a 34% fall on visitor numbers from China, imagine Tank the World Tourism Institute Says In a July 10 report.
The report said tourists were looking at other countries in the region, such as Japan with a weaker Japanese yen making it more affordable, and the somewhat cheaper Vietnam.
“The 5% drop of Thai tourism in 2025 outlines the urgent need for diversity, regulating the market, and improved guest experiences to compete with a change of regional scene,” the report said.
Thailand is still experimenting with crypto
The use of crypto to stimulate tourism was evaluated by the Thai government, along with the country’s SEC that completed a public consultation with the use of modern financial and digital ownership to support economic and tourism growth on August 13.
Chunhavajira First announced TouristDigipay’s initiative During a investment seminar in Bangkok on May 26th.
Related: Thailand to block bybit, OKX and other crypto exchanges on June 28
It followed an announcement in January about a trial to allow foreign visitors to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrencies In Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations. The test is still in works.
Countries and businesses adopt crypto to attract tourists
Bhutan Kingdom in South Asia also took steps to Include crypto payments in its tourism infrastructureAs partnership between Binance Pay and Local Bank DK Bank To let users pay for their costs using crypto.
Jeff Bezos’s blue origin announced a cooperation with Shift4 payment on August 11offered customers an option to pay for spaces in space to Bitcoin (Btc), Ether (Eth), Solana (Sol) and stablecoins such as USDT (USDT) and USDC (USDC).
Meanwhile, in July, the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement with Crypto.com to Allow passengers to pay for flights and in-flight purchases using crypto.
Magazine: Coinbase calls for ‘Full-Scale’ Alt Season, Ether Eyes $ 6K: Hodler’s Digest, August 10-16
