BAAC Launch SCAN THAILAND-PAY LIKE A LOCAL Merchant Activation Roadshow in Udon Thani to Launch Cross-Border QR Payment Service, Upgrading Community Shops to Accommodate International Tourists.

Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, Manager of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), revealed that BAAC, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Bank of Thailand (BOT), and six other member banks—Krung Thai Bank, Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, ICBC Thai, and Krungsri Bank—is organizing the "Merchant Onboarding" event.

Under the SCAN THAILAND-PAY LIKE A LOCAL Merchant Activation Roadshow in Udon Thani, the aim is to enhance the capabilities of Thai entrepreneurs and shops in tourist areas to accommodate international tourists. Cross-border QR Code Payment (TH-Inbound) drives the upgrading of provinces to become “Smart Tourism & Cashless Provinces.”

With a single QR code standard for all merchants in the province, this initiative aims to enhance the province's image in terms of credibility and modernity, increase international tourism competitiveness, and connect regional payment networks. This facilitates payments for tourists from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos who use Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay networks. It seamlessly supports cross-border payments, allowing merchants to easily and securely scan and pay for goods and services via mobile wallets.

The event includes a special lecture on "Cross-Border QR Payment: New Opportunities for Thai Entrepreneurs" by a speaker from the Bank of Thailand; Merchant Activation: a field trip (Troop) to promote and recruit merchants in key tourist areas of Udon Thani province, such as UD Town and Udon Thani Walking Street; and the registration and installation of the QR code system for merchants by BAAC (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives) staff, enabling merchants to immediately accept payments and test the system.

The project is being piloted first in Udon Thani province and plans are underway to expand the service to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Chonburi, and Phuket provinces, in order to distribute opportunities and stimulate the grassroots economy through spending by tourists from around the world throughout the country.

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