Bangkok Bank launches scan-to-pay: revolution for China's tourists!

Bangkok Bank launches scan-to-pay: revolution for China's tourists!

On October 30, 2025, Bangkok Bank launched a new service that makes it much easier for Chinese tourists to process their payments in Thailand. The so-called scan-to-pay service has quickly become the talk of the town and could be a real game-changer for the tourism sector. Over 1.9 million points of sale in Thailand will now support payment processing via the popular UnionPay, Weixin Pay and Alipay apps. This innovation is not only convenient but also safe, as the services offer real-time exchange rates and there are no transaction fees, as thaipr.net reports.

Bangkok Bank sees itself as a pioneer in this initiative, particularly in a market of increasing importance for Thai traders. Chinese tourists spend an average of over 50,000 baht per trip and Thailand is one of the top five destinations for them. Therefore, 6.7 million tourists from China are expected to travel to Thailand this year. The introduction of cross-border QR payment services should also make it easier for these visitors to pay for goods and services. Merchants who accept the PromptPay QR code can now use the above apps to process their payments.

A bridge between two cultures

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced on the same day a cross-border QR payment connection that links Thailand's banks with Chinese payment service providers Alipay, UnionPay and WeChat Pay. This partnership, promoted by the BOT, aims to promote bilateral trade and tourism interactions between Thailand and China. In 2024, 8.8 million Thai and Chinese tourists traveled between the two countries, underscoring the potential and need for such payment innovations, as the Bank of Thailand puts it.

In today's world where digital payments are becoming more and more important, these new QR payment systems offer a safe, efficient and cost-effective way to transfer money. The initiative is supported by several players on both sides, including the National ITMX (NITMX) in Thailand as well as various banks such as Bangkok Bank and Krungthai Bank. This will create an important network that will improve trading opportunities and the user experience for tourists while driving regional economic recovery.

A look at the future

The plans also include integrating more banks into the initiative to further expand the reach of cross-border payments. This is an important step towards a digital society that enables seamless payment transactions for users in both Thailand and China. In an increasingly globalized world, meeting the needs of international travelers is crucial.

These developments further position Thailand as a leading destination for Chinese tourists, with the benefits clear to all involved: a simple, cashless payment experience and strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The digital transformation in payment processing will not only enrich the travel experience but also promote trust in electronic payments. Those interested can find further detailed information on the Yahoo website.