Bangkok: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now accepting applications for “TouristDigiPay,” allowing foreign tourists to exchange digital assets for Thai baht. The SEC is advancing the TouristDigiPay platform, designed to enable foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht for local spending. Applications for business operators wishing to join the project are currently open, with the service anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Bangkok: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now accepting applications for “TouristDigiPay,” allowing foreign tourists to exchange digital assets for Thai baht. The SEC is advancing the TouristDigiPay platform, designed to enable foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht for local spending. Applications for business operators wishing to join the project are currently open, with the service anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, the SEC is implementing a pilot project aimed at converting digital assets into baht for domestic payments. This initiative, known as TouristDigiPay, has established supporting regulations and is inviting digital asset and e-money businesses to apply. The project offers an alternative payment method for foreign tourists and is expected to launch in late 2025. The SEC has also initiated a public hearing focused on the principles of the sandbox project, which seeks to bolster economic growth and enhance the tourism sector through innovative digital asset use. Regulations for the project have been published in the Royal Gazette, effective September 24, 2025.
Business operators interested in joining the TouristDigiPay project must meet specific criteria. Participants must operate as digital asset trading centers, brokers, or traders and be ready to comply with the project’s guidelines. They must also connect with e-money operators to facilitate purchases using Thai baht acquired from digital asset trading through QR code scanning nationwide. Approval from the SEC is required before offering services.
Operators can only serve foreign tourists temporarily residing in Thailand and must adhere to identity verification standards set by the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Participants must also provide digital asset trading services according to their licensing. Compliance with regulations, such as data collection, asset verification, reporting to the SEC, and contingency planning, is mandatory. The application window for the TouristDigiPay project is from September 25, 2025, to December 26, 2025, with application details available on the SEC website.
Mr. Anek Yoo-yuen, Deputy Secretary-General and SEC spokesperson, described the initiative as a collaborative sandbox test project with input from various regulatory agencies. He emphasized the SEC’s commitment to fostering technological development and innovation to boost competitiveness. Mr. Yoo-yuen highlighted the project’s potential to enhance digital economy engagement through QR Code payments while supporting local communities and managing risks.