Thailand is set to launch a pilot program in Phuket in 2025, enabling tourists to use Bitcoin for transactions and streamlining digital payments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced the initiative on January 8, emphasizing that it will operate within Thailand’s existing legal framework without requiring amendments. The program aims to integrate digital currency into everyday transactions, allowing tourists to register Bitcoin through a Thai exchange and verify their identities before making purchases.
The government assures that the pilot will comply with current laws, aiming to make digital transactions more accessible in tourism-focused cities and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the global market. A clearinghouse will convert Bitcoin transactions into Thai baht, facilitating seamless payments for foreign tourists.
This initiative follows former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s call for Thailand to study cryptocurrencies and engage in sandbox experimentation to remain relevant amid global digitization trends. The pilot program reflects Thailand’s proactive approach to embracing digital assets and modernizing its financial ecosystem.
