Electronic Payments in Thailand

[ricktoronto]

99.9% of visiting tourists don't have a Thai bank account. So prompt pay and QR code direct pay for Thai banks is of no help to people asking if they can use their credit card.

And apart from what their bank charges for FX to a tourist using a credit card is free. The tourists aren't merchants and the fee visa charges is irrelevant to them.

A NFC phone with a visa card connected as contactless payment should work just like a chip and pin card.

[psi_starstorm]

On 2/18/2025 at 4:38 PM, ricktoronto said:

99.9% of visiting tourists don't have a Thai bank account. So prompt pay and QR code direct pay for Thai banks is of no help to people asking if they can use their credit card.

And apart from what their bank charges for FX to a tourist using a credit card is free. The tourists aren't merchants and the fee visa charges is irrelevant to them.

A NFC phone with a visa card connected as contactless payment should work just like a chip and pin card.

You can try this:
https://www.tagthai.com/explore/p/payment-for-foreign-tourist-in-thailand

[ricktoronto]

Or pay with cash or card. There are still few places which are QR only and paying with QR takes too long if you've ever been in a 7 11 behind a Thai using QR to pay 30B.

This product has to be filled or topped up with foreign money and can't be topped up with Thai Baht which is of course why it's free. Add to that tourists leaving an unused balance and no way to access at home it's a sure moneymaker for Kasikorn.

The day might come when you have to have QR but with millions of tourists using cash or credit it won't be until most countries have QR linked to bank cards and some sort of worldwide standards like visa.

 

 

Edited August 8, 2025 by ricktoronto

[psi_starstorm]

Not specifically about the electronic payments that this thread is about, but for anyone who lives here you can pay your electric bill on Lazada instantly, it only costs 10b so it's pretty awesome.

[little_me]

There's been one Starbucks I've been to (near chong nonsi BTS) and a swensens (in emquartier food quart) that didn't take cash. Both took visa.

Make sure you have a CC that doesn't tack on foreign transaction fees, etc., but most places take cash, especially bars, gogos, massage shops, street vendors. The only time I've ever tried to use a CC at a gogo, they wouldn't take it. And I've been "escorted" to an ATM before. (last time was with a little 4'11" 90 pound PR girl. Got back and settled the bill, bought her another drink, and then asked her "What would you do if I just walked off?"... She kinda looked at me a bit and started laughing.)

[UndertheRadarGuy]

Caveat:  I am not boots on the ground, but I’m researching for my upcoming trip in January 26.  
 

Moreta Pay is an app that does not require a Thai bank account and can be linked to a Non Thai credit card and  advertises “Pay like a local across Southeast Asia via QR codes.”  Additionally, they offer 1% cash back on all purchases.  I plan to link with one of my rewards cards.  

[Chris in Makati]

Hong Kong's Octopus payment system also allows you pay with a QR card using PromptPay in Thailand.

https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html
 

[DaveStarl]

On 8/20/2025 at 1:01 PM, Chris in Makati said:

Hong Kong's Octopus payment system also allows you pay with a QR card using PromptPay in Thailand.

https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html
 

I believe these don't support "personal" payments only merchants.  My Indonesian GrabPay ican also scan these codes but some don't work, probably because they are personal not merchant accounts.  

[alucex]

Is Revolut an option that works?