Thailand is introducing a new payment app called WORPT to help attract crypto-savvy tourists. The app allows foreign visitors to convert their cryptocurrency into Thai baht and spend it at local shops and restaurants by scanning barcodes, eliminating the need for a Thai bank account.
The move comes as Thailand seeks to revive tourism spending, which has been sluggish in recent years. By tapping into the growing wealth held in cryptocurrencies, the country hopes to make it easier for tourists, particularly from China, to spend their digital assets while visiting.
WORPT leverages Thailand's existing barcode payment system, which is widely used across the country. This integration ensures that tourists can seamlessly spend their converted baht at participating merchants without any hassle.
The initiative highlights Thailand's efforts to modernize its payment infrastructure and cater to the evolving preferences of international travelers, particularly those who prefer using cryptocurrencies for transactions.