If you've visited Thailand recently, you've noticed something: nobody uses cash anymore. Every street food stall, 7-Eleven counter and massage shop has a QR code taped to the wall. That's PromptPay — Thailand's instant bank-to-bank transfer system — and it handles tens of millions of transactions a day.

Can tourists use PromptPay?

Not really. PromptPay requires a Thai bank account linked to a Thai citizen ID or a long-term visa holder's paperwork. If you're here on a 30-day visa exemption or tourist visa, you will not be able to open one at a typical retail bank branch. A few banks (Bangkok Bank, Krungsri) will let tourists open accounts under certain conditions, but the process takes a day and you need a work permit or long-stay visa.

What about Wise, Revolut, or my international card?

Wise and Revolut let you send money toa Thai PromptPay account — so if you have a Thai friend who needs to be paid, you're fine. But you can't scan a merchant QR and pay them directly with a foreign card.

Some newer apps (including Alipay+, TrueMoney for tourists, and AirPay) let you scan Thai PromptPay merchant QR codes as a tourist, using a pre-loaded foreign card. Coverage is patchy — it works at 7-Eleven and major chains, breaks down at street vendors.

What actually works as a tourist

Cash (Thai baht). Withdraw from ATMs. Most cost around 220 THB per withdrawal in foreign fees. Use Bangkok Bank, Krungsri, or SCB ATMs — they're the most reliable.
Foreign debit/credit card. Accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, and most malls. Street vendors and small shops: cash only.
Apple Pay / Google Pay. Works at 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and most chain stores. Not at independent shops.
Grab Pay / LINE Pay. If you use Grab for rides and food delivery, you can top up the in-app wallet with a foreign card.

How does Skoot handle payment?

Skoot takes international cards directly in the app — Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay. You never need a Thai bank account, a local SIM, or PromptPay. Rental cost and deposit are charged in THB and converted by your card provider at the real interbank rate.

One practical tip

Bring a Wise or Revolut card as your primary card. Their exchange rates beat every Thai ATM by 3–5%, and you can top up instantly from your phone. Keep a regular card and 2,000 THB cash as backup.

PromptPay is amazing and it's a shame tourists can't use it. Until the government opens the system to foreign residents, carry a proper travel card and some cash.