Thailand’s SEC Launches TouristDigiPay Pilot-Project for Digital Asset Payments in Thailand

Brickinfo News Agency – The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving forward with its “TouristDigiPay” project, a pilot program designed to allow foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht for payments. The SEC has now issued the necessary regulations and is inviting applications from interested digital asset and e-money operators to participate in the project. This initiative aims to provide an alternative payment method for international visitors and is expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The TouristDigiPay initiative was first announced by the SEC after a public hearing on its framework. The primary goal of the project is to leverage innovation and digital assets to support Thailand’s economic growth and tourism sector. The regulations governing the program were officially published in the Royal Gazette and became effective on September 24, 2025.

To participate, businesses must be licensed digital asset exchange operators, brokers, or dealers. They must be prepared to operate within the project’s specific scope and regulations and connect with an e-money operator. This connection is crucial for enabling tourists to use the converted baht to pay for goods and services via Thai QR code scans nationwide. All participating businesses must receive approval from the SEC before they can begin offering services.

Participants are restricted to providing services to foreign tourists who are in Thailand for a temporary stay. They are required to conduct customer due diligence (KYC/CDD) in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering Office’s (AMLO) guidelines. Additionally, they must ensure that all digital asset trading and exchange activities align with their specific business licenses. The regulations also mandate that participants collect and evaluate user data, verify the origin of digital assets being exchanged, report information to the SEC, and have a clear plan for service termination and performance evaluation.

Anek Yuyuen, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson for the SEC, commented on the project. He stated that TouristDigiPay is a “sandbox” project resulting from the cooperation of various regulatory bodies. Yuyuen added that the SEC supports the development of technology and innovation to enhance competitiveness. He expressed confidence that the project would make it more convenient for tourists to make payments using Thai QR code technology, thereby promoting the country’s digital economy and distributing income to local communities while managing potential risks appropriately.

The SEC is accepting applications for the TouristDigiPay project from September 25, 2025, to December 26, 2025. Interested digital asset businesses can find detailed application information on the SEC’s website.