Thailand has launched a Tourist Wallet aimed at easing payment processes for international travelers. While the wallet supports QR payments in baht and facilitates top-ups via cash, cards, or bank transfers, its crypto conversion feature remains under regulatory review until mid-August. The initiative addresses challenges faced by tourists from countries without existing QR payment links, like those from Europe and the Americas. Although tourists can top up their wallets with foreign debit and credit cards and make payments at partner merchants, there are spending limits of 500,000 baht for larger merchants and 50,000 baht for smaller shops. Currently, cash withdrawals are not permitted, and accounts can only be closed through redemption. The Securities and Exchange Commission is evaluating whether regulated exchanges and custodians can enable crypto-to-baht conversions through the Tourist Wallet, with strict KYC norms in place to prevent money laundering. Until regulatory reviews are complete, crypto holders will not have direct spending access.

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