Thailand May Explore Bitcoin Payments in Phuket

Thailand made significant progress in the crypto sector in 2024 with the launch of its Digital Asset Regulatory Sandbox. Recently, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra proposed using Bitcoin to make tourism payments in the country.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is a fervent supporter of cryptocurrencies, often sharing positive opinions and predictions about Bitcoin.

Thailand’s Efforts in Experimenting with Digital Currencies

According to the Bangkok Post, Thaksin suggested piloting a Bitcoin payment project in the tourism sector, with Phuket as the location to implement the sandbox initiative.

“Given our country’s reliance on tourism and foreign inflows, integrating cryptocurrencies into Phuket’s economy could align well with Thailand’s strategic strengths, potentially attracting tech-savvy visitors and investors,” Nirun Fuwattananukul, chief executive of Gulf Binance, said.

However, as Nirun noted, the Bank of Thailand currently prohibits using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payments. The central bank manages the payment system.

Meanwhile, digital assets are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For such experiments to happen, discussions between the SEC and the central bank are essential.

Thaksin has expressed strong support for embracing and adapting to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, urging Thailand to align itself with crypto trends to stimulate economic growth. He predicted Bitcoin could reach a price of $850,000 and proposed issuing stablecoins backed by government bonds to boost liquidity and support the economy.

“What I am saying is not to buy it, but the trend is like that. There are already many cryptocurrencies. Some people say that in the future, we will have more currencies than countries. Today, Thai people must think and understand this. The Prime Minister may assign the Ministry of Finance to study whether to accept Bitcoin or not. Can we use sandboxes in tourist areas such as Phuket or Hua Hin? Use Bitcoin to let people who hold Bitcoin use it to spend money,” Thaksin stated.

Additionally, data from Statista shows that the number of cryptocurrency users in Thailand in 2024 will be approximately 15.43 million, accounting for over 21% of the population. Statista projects that the growth rate of crypto users in Thailand will slow down over the next four years, potentially reaching 17.67 million by 2028.

Despite more open attitudes towards crypto experimentation, Thailand has slipped in Chainalysis’s 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index rankings. The country ranked 10th in 2023 but dropped to 16th in 2024.