Thailand Considers Crypto Credit Cards For Tourists

Thailand has unveiled ambitious plans to allow tourists to use crypto-linked credit cards for spending within the country, according to The Nation. This initiative aims to make Thailand a pioneer in integrating digital assets into everyday transactions, enhancing convenience for international visitors while keeping the local economy vibrant.

A Vision to Revolutionize Tourist Spending

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira recently announced the initiative during the ‘Dailynews Talk 2025: Revitalising Stocks & Crypto in H2 2025’ event. The plan involves enabling tourists to link their cryptocurrencies directly to credit cards, which can then be used for payments across Thailand.

The Ministry of Finance is studying successful international models where cryptocurrencies are seamlessly connected to credit cards. The innovation is designed so that merchants receive payments in Thai Baht, with no disruption to their usual processes. Often, vendors won’t even realize that the underlying payment came from digital assets.

The Bank of Thailand will pilot this system to test its viability and lay the groundwork for broader adoption.

How Crypto-Linked Credit Cards Will Work

The core idea behind these crypto-linked credit cards is simplicity. Tourists will link their digital asset wallets to a credit card. When they make a purchase, the system will convert crypto into local currency in real-time, ensuring merchants get paid in Baht.

This approach eliminates the need for vendors to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and even stablecoins directly, removing a major barrier to crypto adoption. It also protects merchants from volatility while offering tourists an easy way to spend their crypto holdings.

Minister Pichai clarified that this system will not affect Thailand’s domestic currency but will operate alongside it. The goal is to provide a modern, user-friendly experience that taps into existing payment infrastructure.

Connecting Capital Markets and Digital Assets

The government’s crypto ambitions do not stop at tourism. Minister Pichai revealed plans to reform Thailand’s legal framework, integrating the traditional capital market with the digital asset market.

Currently, these two markets are governed separately — the Securities and Exchange Act regulates capital markets, while digital assets fall under the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses. The government wants to harmonize these rules to facilitate smoother fund transfers and broader investor flexibility.

This regulatory reform aims to reflect modern investment trends. Thailand hopes to create a more dynamic financial ecosystem by removing unnecessary barriers to blockchain and crypto technologies.

Launching G-Tokens

In addition to crypto-linked credit cards, Thailand is preparing to issue G-Tokens, a digital investment tool backed by the government. With plans to issue around 5 billion Baht ($150 million) in G-Tokens, the initiative is part of the government’s broader budget borrowing strategy.

Unlike traditional government bonds, G-Tokens are not classified as debt instruments. Instead, they serve as blockchain-based investment products that allow retail investors to access higher yields than regular bank savings, with low entry barriers.

This innovation aims to boost liquidity in Thailand’s secondary bond market and attract more participation from retail and institutional investors. The system reduces administrative costs and speeds up settlements by digitizing government fundraising.

For investors, G-Tokens present a new avenue to diversify portfolios and gain exposure to state-backed assets on a blockchain platform. This could enhance market participation, particularly among younger, tech-savvy retail investors.

The digital format also lays the foundation for future innovations in government securities, including scalability and diversification, depending on adoption and regulatory developments.