Thailand to Let Tourists Convert Crypto to Baht for Local Use in 2025 Pilot

Thailand has introduced an 18-month pilot program known as TouristDigiPay, which will allow foreign tourists to convert their cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for local use. The initiative, launched as part of a broader effort to revitalize the tourism sector, is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The program will enable visitors to exchange digital assets—such as Bitcoin and stablecoins—into local currency through digital platforms, with the funds subsequently loaded into mobile wallet applications for use at local businesses [1].

The conversion limit is set at 550,000 baht per transaction, equivalent to approximately $16,949.15, to help prevent money laundering and ensure system stability during the trial period. Lavaron Sangsnit, the permanent secretary to the Finance Ministry, has indicated that this limit may be reviewed and adjusted after the 18-month pilot concludes [2]. The program operates within a regulatory sandbox framework, offering a controlled environment for the government to assess the feasibility and risks associated with cryptocurrency-based transactions.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has underscored the program’s role in supporting the tourism industry, which has experienced a noticeable decline in foreign visitors since the pandemic. According to recent figures from the Tourism and Sport Ministry, foreign tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2025 dropped by around 6% compared to the same period in 2024. The state-planning agency has also revised its 2025 tourism forecast downward by 10%, now expecting 33 million visitors—well below the pre-pandemic high of 39.9 million in 2019 [3].

The decline in tourism has been attributed to shifts in Japan, China, and Vietnam, which have adopted more aggressive strategies to capture the global tourism market. In the first half of 2025, Japan welcomed 21.5 million international tourists, a 21% year-on-year increase, while Thailand recorded 16.69 million visitors. Despite attracting 895.16 billion baht in foreign tourism revenue in the first seven months of 2025, the figure fell by 4.22% compared to the same period in 2024 [4].

By enabling tourists to spend digital assets more freely in the country, the government hopes to stimulate increased spending and make Thailand a more attractive destination for crypto-savvy travelers. The program is being facilitated through local cryptocurrency exchanges, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and offering a secure and user-friendly experience for visitors [5].

The initiative reflects Thailand’s broader push to integrate digital assets into the national economy. If the pilot proves successful, it could lead to further regulatory adjustments and potentially reshape how international tourism is conducted in the region. The government remains cautiously optimistic, recognizing the transformative potential of digital currencies in modernizing cross-border travel and commerce [6].

Source:

[1] https://www.theblock.co/post/367207/thailand-crypto-baht-payment-pilot-foreign-tourists

[2] https://uz.kursiv.media/en/2025-08-18/thailand-launches-18-month-crypto-to-baht-sandbox-to-revive-tourism/

[3] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/thailand-to-launch-crypto-to-baht-conversion-for-foreign-tourists-ce7c51dfd18bfe26

[4] https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-to-allow-foreign-tourists-to-convert-crypto-to-baht

[5] https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/thailand-to-allow-tourists-to-convert-crypto-to-baht-for-local-payments-93CH-4197123

[6] https://www.indexbox.io/blog/thailand-launches-crypto-to-baht-conversion-for-tourists/