Tourists could soon spend crypto in Thailand like cash
Thailand is considering a new plan that would let tourists use cryptocurrencies linked to their credit cards to pay for goods and services in the country.
The government says the move could make it easier for visitors to spend digital assets during their stay, while shop owners continue to receive Thai baht as payment.
The proposal was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira during a finance forum in Bangkok.
According to him, officials are looking at how other countries have made similar systems work and are now in talks with the Bank of Thailand to test the idea before launching it more widely.
“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 realising the buyer used crypto,” Pichai was quoted by The Nation.
The finance minister also said the government wants to update existing laws so that the stock market and the digital asset market are no longer regulated separately.
This would allow investors to move money more easily between stocks and crypto, and give financial institutions greater flexibility.
Pichai added that some rules, especially those limiting where large funds like insurance companies can invest, are outdated and may soon be changed to boost activity in the Thai stock market.
These reforms, he said, will support long-term investments and help local businesses, especially those focused on clean energy and sustainability, grow in line with global trends.
