Tourists visiting Thailand could be allowed to spend cryptocurrencies while visiting the country, thanks to a new policy change. Thai authorities are working to improve their system to accommodate the growing need for digital assets. A part of that change could see visitors spend crypto via credit card-linked platforms.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, shared the plans at a recent event in Bangkok. Under the proposed system, tourists would link their crypto holdings to credit cards for local purchases. Merchants would receive Thai baht as usual, frequently unaware that the transaction involved crypto. This approach aims to streamline transactions for visitors while minimizing risks to the domestic currency.
JUST IN: Bank of Thailand considers pilot program to allow tourists to link digital assets to credit cards for spending locally – Bangkok Post. pic.twitter.com/9QCWIf6bp4
— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) May 27, 2025
Key players such as the Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance are currently reviewing the new initiative. Following regulatory approval, a pilot program will be rolled out.
Explaining the relevance of the initiative, Pichai said, “In some foreign countries, it’s already possible to use crypto for purchases by linking it to credit cards. When something is bought, the vendor receives payment in local currency as normal, often not even realizing the buyer used crypto. This approach can be immediately adapted for Thailand, provided the supporting systems are in place, but it will not involve our domestic currency.”
Thailand is getting on the crypto bandwagon.
The Bank of Thailand is considering a pilot program to allow Bitcoin & crypto payments for tourists.
YUUGE MOVE! pic.twitter.com/PXx18jewAr
— Lark Davis (@TheCryptoLark) May 27, 2025
Thailand moves for total reform.
Beyond enabling crypto use for tourism, Thailand is also planning a reform of its financial laws. Pichai stated the government needs to unify the legal treatment of the traditional capital market and the digital asset space. Both sectors are currently under different acts.
According to local sources, the government is also reviewing outdated restrictions on institutional investors as part of broader capital market reform. Current policies limit life insurers and large funds holding hundreds of billions of Thai baht to government bonds. Upcoming changes may open more funds to equities and private sector assets.
Notably, Pichai believes clear policies could help crypto innovation without threatening traditional infrastructures. Interestingly, Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already approved the trading of stablecoins like USDC and USDT on local exchanges.
Now, the country’s effort to integrate cryptocurrency into its tourism may demonstrate its willingness to boost economic growth with digital assets.
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