Michaela
Summary: What is Thailand’s TouristDigiPay program and how does it work?
TouristDigiPay is a crypto tourism sandbox that lets foreign visitors convert digital assets into Thai baht for spending. The program operates under strict regulations, including KYC checks, transaction limits, and oversight by the SEC and Bank of Thailand. It is designed to provide a secure and regulated way for tourists to use cryptocurrency during their stay.
The Thai government has announced it will roll out “TouristDigiPay,” a new initiative aimed at boosting tourism by allowing foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht for spending within the country.
According to local news outlet The Nation, the initiative comes in response to a notable slowdown in Thailand’s tourism this year, largely due to a drop in visitors from China. Thai government agencies and officials have been exploring the use of cryptocurrency as a potential tool to reinvigorate the country’s tourism sector.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently concluded a public consultation on leveraging financial innovation and digital assets to drive economic and tourism growth. Under the new framework, foreign visitors seeking to convert cryptocurrencies into baht for spending must open accounts with both a digital asset provider and an e-money operator, each regulated by the SEC and the Bank of Thailand (BOT).
The “TouristDigiPay” program is set to operate within a regulatory sandbox designed to provide oversight and manage risks, including restrictions on the direct use of digital assets for payments. The service will be available exclusively to tourists with temporary stays in Thailand.
Tourists wishing to use the service will be required to complete comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) and customer due diligence (CDD) procedures, in accordance with the standards set by Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).
Tourists using the service will be able to convert their digital assets into baht and make electronic payments via QR code scanning. To reduce the risk of financial crime, transaction caps will be implemented, with merchants using card terminals subject to a monthly spending limit of 500,000 baht (around $15,000) per account.
TouristDigiPay: A Step Toward Mainstream Crypto Use for SHIB Holders
Thailand’s crypto tourism sandbox reflects a growing interest among governments in exploring digital payment solutions, even while enforcing strict regulatory safeguards. The initiative, though tightly controlled, demonstrates a willingness to experiment with integrating cryptocurrencies into real-world transactions, particularly in the tourism sector.
For SHIB holders, this development raises the prospect that tokens like SHIB could one day be incorporated into such regulated systems, offering a new avenue for utility beyond trading and speculation.
While adoption on a large scale remains a future prospect, programs like TouristDigiPay provide the Shiba Inu community with a concrete example of how mainstream recognition of crypto might open doors for broader use, from travel-related payments to other everyday applications, potentially boosting both visibility and practical value for holders.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
