Thai QR Payment Guide for Easy Transactions in Thailand

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A Person Making Payment Using Smartphone
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Making Payment Using Smartphone

In Thailand, QR payment has become an essential part of daily transactions, making it easier for locals and tourists alike to pay for goods and services.

QR codes are widely accepted in Thailand, with over 70% of merchants using this payment method. They can be found at restaurants, cafes, street food stalls, and even local markets.

You can use your smartphone to scan the QR code and make payments quickly. Most major banks in Thailand offer QR payment services, including Krungthai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and Kasikorn Bank.

To use QR payment in Thailand, you'll need a smartphone with a QR code reader app installed, such as TrueMoney or K Plus.

What Are Code Payments?

Code payments are a convenient way to make transactions in Thailand.

PromptPay is a service created by the Bank of Thailand that allows for the transfer of money between bank accounts and electronic wallets using phone numbers or citizen IDs.

In many places in Thailand, you can see printed QR codes that allow for easy payment for merchants.

This information can be placed in the QR code, which makes it easy to transfer money.

How Code Payments Work

Credit: youtube.com, Scan to PayLah! in Thailand now!

In Thailand, QR code payments are a convenient way to transfer money, and they work in a variety of ways depending on the situation.

Friends can simply send a QR code to each other when waiting for a transfer, and street food vendors will print stickers with their QR codes for easy payment.

The big shops will use a terminal to display a one-time QR code, similar to how they use credit card machines.

To make a payment, users just need to open their bank app, scan the QR code, put in the amount to transfer, and confirm the whole operation.

Sometimes, the amount to be transferred can even be added already in the QR code, making the process even quicker.

Benefits of Code Payments

The benefits of code payments in Thailand are numerous, but one of the most significant advantages is that it's the most popular cashless way of payment in many places in Thailand.

Credit: youtube.com, How Foreigners Can Make Mobile Payments In Thailand; Thai PromptPay QR Code; DBS PayLah, OCBC App

Using QR code payments is a free and easy way to send money to friends, making it a convenient option for those who want to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

In fact, credit cards are not as popular in Thailand as they are in Western countries, and are often only accepted in big businesses with a 3% surcharge.

QR code payments can also help boost tourism numbers in Thailand by making it easier for visitors to make payments, especially for those from Hong Kong and mainland China.

The Thai government has introduced a visa waiver program for Chinese tourists, which aims to attract around 5 million Chinese tourists by the end of the year.

This is a significant increase from the expected 3.4 million Chinese visitors, and is a key driver of Thailand's economic recovery.

QR code payments can also help strengthen Thailand's micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by encouraging them to adopt cashless payment options.

In fact, an estimated half of Thailand's population remains unbanked or has no access to financial products, making QR code payments a vital tool for financial inclusion.

By adopting QR code payments, MSMEs in Thailand can become more financially inclusive and competitive in the market.

Payment Options in Thailand

Credit: youtube.com, How To Pay For Things In Thailand - 2024

In Thailand, cash is still widely used, but there's a more convenient way to pay for things. Thai QR code payments are the most popular cashless way of payment in many places.

Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in Western countries, and when they are, you might be charged a 3% surcharge.

You can easily send money to friends using QR transfers, and it's a free service.

Offer Preferred Payment Methods at Checkout

In Thailand, it's common for businesses to offer multiple payment options to cater to tourists and locals alike.

QR code payments are a popular choice in Thailand, with almost everyone in Bangkok accepting them. You can leave your wallet at home and pay with your phone in most places without any problem.

Credit cards are not as widely used as in Western countries, but you can still use them in big businesses, often with a 3% surcharge.

QR transfers are a convenient and free way to send money to friends, making them a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.

PromptPay International

Credit: youtube.com, Scan to PayLah! in Thailand with PromptPay!

PromptPay international, also known as cross-border payment, allows clients of some Thai banks to pay in other countries and vice versa.

The system is partially connected to countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, making it possible for Thai clients to pay in these countries and for people from these countries to pay in Thailand.

However, the system is not mature enough yet and is not good for everyday use due to high fees, exchange rates, and few participating banks.

Thai clients can pay in these countries, but it's not a seamless process and is mostly used for occasional transactions.

The Bank of Thailand is working to improve the system, which could be interesting for travelers in the future.

Lola Stehr

Copy Editor

Lola Stehr is a meticulous and detail-oriented Copy Editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar and syntax, she has honed her skills in editing a wide range of articles, from in-depth market analysis to timely financial forecasts. Lola's expertise spans various categories, including New Zealand Dollar (NZD) market trends and Currency Exchange Forecasts.

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