Thailand Introduces Crypto Payment Option for Foreign Tourists
Thailand is making it easier for cryptocurrency holders to spend their digital assets while visiting the country. Foreign travelers can now convert supported cryptocurrencies into Thai baht and use the funds to pay for purchases at participating shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
The new WORPT application connects external crypto wallets to Thailand’s popular QR PromptPay payment system. This enables visitors to make everyday transactions without setting up a local bank account, creating a simpler way to use digital assets while traveling.
The launch is part of Thailand’s broader effort to attract international visitors and increase tourism-related spending. By introducing crypto-friendly payment options, the country hopes to appeal to travelers who already hold digital currencies and are looking for convenient ways to spend them abroad.
WORPT Connects Crypto Wallets to Thailand’s Payment Network
The WORPT platform was created by Wipay and Waan Exchange (Waanx), with support from Tether, the company responsible for issuing USDT. It operates under Thailand’s TouristDigiPay regulatory sandbox, which falls under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Through the application, tourists can exchange supported digital assets, including USDT and USDC, for Thai baht. Once the conversion is completed, users can scan QR PromptPay codes to pay participating merchants using their available baht balance.
The system relies on existing merchant payment infrastructure, meaning businesses do not need to receive or process cryptocurrency directly. Hotels, restaurants, and retailers continue receiving payments in Thai baht through their standard payment channels.
Another important feature is that foreign visitors do not need to open a Thai bank account to access the service. Instead, they can complete the required identity verification through WORPT and connect an external cryptocurrency wallet.
Thai media reports indicate that the initial conversion fee is 1.5%. Wipay is also preparing to introduce Visa prepaid card functionality. Physical cards are scheduled for November, while virtual cards are expected to arrive in early 2027.
The Mall Group has also joined the initiative as an early retail partner, becoming the first department store group to support WORPT. Its involvement could help demonstrate how tourists can use converted cryptocurrency balances for regular shopping transactions.
Thailand Sets Ambitious Target of 200,000 Crypto Users
The payment initiative comes with significant adoption expectations. Wipay is aiming to attract approximately 200,000 users during WORPT’s first year of operation.
The company also expects the platform to facilitate around 15 billion baht in spending, equivalent to approximately $440 million, throughout its 18-month trial period.
South Korea, Japan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are among the primary markets being targeted. These regions could provide access to international visitors who already own cryptocurrencies and may be interested in using digital assets to cover their travel expenses.
Thailand’s tourism industry could also benefit from the initiative. International visitor arrivals are heading toward another annual decline, while spending generated by overseas tourists has also weakened.
Since tourism remains an important part of the Thai economy, attracting visitors with stronger spending potential has become a priority. Crypto owners could represent an additional customer segment, particularly as stablecoins become increasingly popular for international payments and money transfers.
By reducing the complications associated with converting and spending digital assets, WORPT could make Thailand more attractive to cryptocurrency users planning international trips.
Can Thailand Make Everyday Crypto Spending a Reality?
For cryptocurrency holders visiting Thailand, the new system addresses several difficulties that previously made everyday spending inconvenient.
In the past, tourists who wanted to use their digital assets generally had to exchange them for Thai baht before making regular purchases. This often required accessing a cryptocurrency exchange, finding an OTC broker, withdrawing cash, or arranging a transfer through a local bank account.
These additional steps made simple activities such as paying for meals, booking hotels, and shopping more complicated. The process was particularly inconvenient for travelers who preferred to manage most of their finances through cryptocurrency.
Trust and security also presented challenges. Thailand has experienced fraudulent OTC operations, fake exchanges, and scams involving individuals who advertise favorable conversion rates before disappearing with customers’ funds.
While finding a person willing to exchange crypto for baht was not necessarily difficult, verifying the legitimacy of the transaction could be a major concern.
WORPT aims to simplify this experience by providing a platform that connects cryptocurrency wallets with Thailand’s established QR payment infrastructure. If adoption expands and more merchants participate, the service could help make digital asset spending a more practical option for international tourists.
For Thailand, the initiative represents an opportunity to combine its existing tourism economy with the growing global adoption of cryptocurrency and stablecoin payments.
