New QR Payment Link Between Thailand and China Set to Boost Tourism and Trade

Published on November 5, 2025

A new QR payment approach seeks to enhance tourism, trade, and investment between Thailand and China and promises to transform payment collection processes for Chinese visitors in Thailand. The new approach directly connects payment collections to popular Chinese payment platforms Alipay, UnionPay, and WeChat Pay, making transactions more frictionless and promoting discretionary spending by tourists.

This joint initiative between the private sector and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) integrates the two countries’ instant retail payment systems as part of the enhanced payment ecosystem. Allowing Chinese tourists to scan Thai QR codes provided by local banks simplifies the payment process for Thai merchants that accept payments from customers through these QR codes.

The Bank of Thailand and the Bank of China (Thai) collaborate with key Thai banks to implement the system, namely, Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Kasikornbank, and Siam Commercial Bank. This system fosters constructive financial interdependence between the two countries by consolidating their payment networks.

Improving the Overall Experience for Tourists in Thailand

The introduction of this payment mechanism in Thailand will allow Chinese tourists to pay for services without the hassle of carrying cash or exchanging for the local currency. Many Chinese tourists, both for leisure or business, will find this hassle-free and efficient payment system very helpful and will be able to access services in shops and restaurants, as well as hotels and Thai attractions, without any payment issues.

The use of the QR code payment system will allow tourists to pay merchants directly by transferring payment from their Alipay, UnionPay, or WeChat Pay accounts to the merchants’ bank accounts, thus simplifying transactions and making payments instantaneous. Those QR codes are scanned and payments processed within seconds. This revolutionary technology will be a boon for Chinese tourists since they are already acquainted with these payment systems in their home country.

Thailand receives a lot of Chinese tourists, with most of them coming due to the culture, low prices, and picturesque nature. Tourist satisfaction and the ability to pay without any hassles will enable Thai tourists to shop and eat with ease as they will not have to waste time exchanging their money. Thailand is now a more desirable and accommodating option for Chinese tourists, making their payment transactions foreign payments as simple as possible.

New Opportunities for Trade and Investment in Thailand and China

Other than the focus on tourism, the new QR payment system has the potential to significantly strengthen trade and investment links with China. More and more Chinese companies have already made investments in Thailand, and several Thai companies are eager to expand into China. The new payment system’s readiness to transact payments supports cross-border business transactions. It provides a platform for swift financial transactions, which is central to cross-border trade and investment.

The new system allows Thai users to transact in real time in Thai Baht. As such, and in further reflection of Thailand’s digitised growth strategy, the system improves the ease of integration of China’s and Thailand’s payment systems. Thai firms serving the Chinese market will have a chance to enhance their global competitiveness through the improved payment options. Easier payment options will attract more Chinese tourists, enabling them to spend more freely in Thailand. This will generate economic benefits to the multiplier industries such as transportation, accommodation, retail, and trade.

More Chinese business travelers can use QR payments to pay for any business expenses such as conference fees and hotel bookings on the Chinese platforms they are already familiar with – this will continue to incentivize Chinese businesses to organize meetings, conferences, and events in Thailand, thus deepening the economic partnership between Thailand and China.

Integration of QR payments will ease access to other international payment systems. Even though the focus now is on tourists from China, Thailand’s positioning as a tourist center could benefit from multi-currency payment systems. It would augment Thailand’s image as a digitally forward country.

Visitors from other Southeast Asian countries along with tourists from other regions might someday gain access to more universal payment systems, making travel to Thailand even more simple. The ease of payments in Thailand is in step with other countries that are advancing toward cashlessness and innovation in payment systems, in international travel.

Enhancing Accessibility of Thailand for International Visitors

The adoption of QR payment systems is a key strategy aimed at enhancing accessibility of Thailand for travelers from China, one of the biggest sources of inbound tourism. Chinese tourists have accounted for a sizable chunk of Thailand’s tourism revenue. Improving the travel experience of these tourists by offering a swift and convenient payment method will boost the number of tourists visiting Thailand in the years to come.

The Thai tourism industry is almost out of the negative effects of the pandemic. The introduction of digital payment systems will increase overall ease of travel by improving payment experiences and increasing the overall revenue from tourism. The Thai tourism industry is aligned with the modern trend of tourism which involves the sharp focus on digital payment system integration. Thailand is set to gain from the growing digital payment trends and will provide tourists with a modern and hassle-free experience.

Conclusion

The introduction of the QR payment system, bridging Thailand and China is another leap forward in the tourism and commercial relationship of the two countries. Thailand is already rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese tourists by removing several payment hurdles on the Alipay, UnionPay and WeChat Pay payment systems. The advanced tourism sector of Thailand and the sky rocketing investments and spending from China is a testimony to the surging demand of Thailand as a holiday destination for Chinese tourists. Thailand’s payment system features and the focus on improved visitor experience coupled with digital technology integration will undoubtedly enhance the Thailand tourism experience and fortify the national’s economic position as a tourism leader in South East Asia.