Thailand is about to give people who love cryptocurrency a reason to pack their bags and go there. The country is launching a regulatory sandbox called "TouristDigiPay," which will let foreign tourists change their crypto into Thai baht so they can spend it on vacation. Why not? It's like turning your crypto into drinks and souvenirs for the beach.
The SEC made this cool announcement on August 18, and it will start in the fourth quarter of 2025. The project will last for 18 months and is a joint effort between the Ministry of Finance, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the SEC. It's a high-stakes game to mix crypto with tourism. How could it not be fun?
You won't be able to use cryptos directly to buy things or services. Merchants will still be paid in baht (you can't spend your ETH on a Thai massage just yet), and both digital asset operators and e-money providers will have to follow KYC (Know Your Customer) rules. Also, you can't withdraw cash from a crypto ATM, so don't even think about going to the crypto beach with a wallet full of cash. But monthly spending limits and a block on withdrawals should help keep things in check.
Crypto to Boost Tourism? That’s the Plan
So, why the big move? Well, Thailand is trying to boost its tourism industry, which has hit a bit of a slump. According to reports, Thailand saw a drop in foreign visitors, especially from China, which used to be a big source of tourists. Only 16.8 million tourists visited in the first half of 2025, compared to 17.7 million the year before. The country’s looking to bounce back by attracting new crowds, crypto enthusiasts, perhaps?
Thailand is facing some competition from other countries like Japan and Vietnam, which are becoming more attractive to tourists due to a weaker yen and lower prices. But in my opinion, if Thailand can figure out how to combine beaches and crypto, it might just have a winning formula.
Still Playing with Crypto in Thailand
While the TouristDigiPay initiative is one of the country’s more daring crypto moves, Thailand’s not new to the idea. Back in May, the initiative was first announced during an investment seminar, and before that, a trial was launched to let foreign visitors use crypto in Phuket. Still waiting on that trial to finish up, but hey, progress is progress.
And Thailand isn’t alone in this crypto tourism craze. Bhutan’s also dipping its toes in the water with Binance Pay and DK Bank letting users pay for expenses with crypto. Even Jeff Bezos is getting in on the action, offering space tourists the chance to pay in crypto for a ride to the stars.
Will It Work? We’ll See
I think this could be a fun way for Thailand to stand out in the crowded tourism market. Crypto enthusiasts will be all over this, especially if they can use their digital assets while lounging on a beach. But it’s still early days, and whether tourists will actually embrace this or if it’s just another crypto experiment remains to be seen.
Gunel Ismayilova
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