Thailand’s digital payment ecosystem is taking a major step toward full global interoperability as National ITMX Company Limited (NITMX), Ant International and Krungthai Bank announce a three-party partnership to link Thailand’s national payment infrastructure with China’s mobile-wallet system.

The arrangement will allow Chinese visitors to Thailand to use Alipay (through the Alipay+ ecosystem) to make QR-based payments at millions of Thai merchants by scanning the domestic QR code standard known as PromptPay.

Under guidance from the Bank of Thailand, NITMX – the operator of PromptPay – is working with Ant International and Krungthai Bank as the settlement bank to roll out the service.

In the initial phase, Chinese tourists will scan PromptPay QR codes at merchants in Thailand, pay in their familiar wallet currency and have settlement handled via Krungthai.

NITMX’s managing director, Chatchai Dusadenoad, stated that the linkage “opens new business opportunities for Thai merchants of all sizes … by connecting Thailand’s payment infrastructure to the global financial network.”

Ant International’s Alipay+ General Manager for Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand and South Asia, Edward Yue, emphasised that the partnership builds on the Bank of Thailand’s vision of reducing barriers between global consumers and local merchants, and aims to foster inclusive growth through cross-border commerce.

The service is expected to especially benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand, as Krungthai’s Head of Retail Banking Product & Strategy reiterated that the bank’s role enables “Chinese tourists’ spending in Thailand while also expanding income opportunities for SMEs across the country.”

PromptPay was introduced in 2016 and has since become Thailand’s backbone for domestic and regional digital payments.

The new link with Alipay marks a significant expansion of its cross-border remit, arriving as Thailand seeks to deepen tourism and trade connectivity with China.

Previously, NITMX struck a separate partnership with China’s UnionPay International to allow UnionPay-wallet users to scan PromptPay QR codes in Thailand; the Alipay+ tie-up now broadens the connectivity with Chinese wallet ecosystems.

For Chinese visitors, the launch promises a smoother, cashless experience at Thai retail, food & beverage, attractions and transportation merchants.

For Thailand, it supports the government’s strategy of integrating global payments infrastructure, enhancing convenience for tourists and elevating its standing in the digital economy era.

As the rollout progresses, Thai merchants will gain better access to inbound spending flows from China while travellers benefit from familiar payment channels.

With cross-border QR payments gaining traction globally and regional frameworks like the ASEAN Integrated QR Code Payment System pointing toward multi-country interoperability, Thailand’s move positions it as a hub for digital-tourism infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

The next step for the partners will be to finalise the go-live timeline, scale merchant onboarding and monitor usage trends to measure impact on tourism, retail turnover and financial inclusivity across Thai provinces.