Thailand has launched WORPT, a payment application that allows foreign tourists to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht and spend it at shops, restaurants, hotels and retailers through the country’s QR PromptPay network—without opening a local bank account.
Developed by Wipay Co and Waan Exchange (Waanx) with support from Tether, the service operates under the TouristDigiPay regulatory sandbox overseen by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission. It supports cryptocurrency-to-baht conversions, including stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. Users deposit supported assets, convert them into baht, and scan Thai QR PromptPay codes at participating merchants. Merchants receive Thai baht through their existing payment channels rather than handling crypto directly.
According to Thai media reports, WORPT initially charges a 1.5% conversion fee. The company is also preparing Visa prepaid card services, with physical cards planned for November 2026 and virtual cards expected in early 2027. The Mall Group has joined as an early retail partner, becoming the first department store group to support the service.
Wipay expects WORPT to attract approximately 200,000 users during its first year and projects around 15 billion baht ($440 million) in spending over the initiative’s 18-month trial. Target markets include South Korea, Japan, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Separately, Thailand’s SEC has proposed daily limits of 5 million baht on stablecoin deposits and withdrawals at regulated crypto operators, a regulatory detail accompanying the broader push to integrate digital assets into tourism payments.
The launch comes as Thailand faces a second consecutive annual decline in foreign arrivals and weaker international tourism revenue, with officials seeking higher-spending visitors and new revenue sources.
