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Thailand · Banking & PaymentsPromptPay
Thailand's national instant payment system, linking a phone number or ID number to a bank account for fast, low-cost transfers.
What it helps with
- Paying at street stalls and marketsMost Thai shops, stalls and taxis show a PromptPay QR code paid from a Thai banking app.
- Paying Thai QR with a home appVisitors from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan can scan Thai QR codes with their home banking or wallet app.
- Instant transfers with a phone numberResidents send money instantly using only a phone number or ID number.
About PromptPay
PromptPay is a government-backed real-time payment system developed by Thai banks and the Bank of Thailand, letting anyone with a linked Thai bank account send and receive money using just a phone number, national ID number, or QR code instead of a full bank account number.
Key Features
- Simple Recipient Lookup: Send money using just a phone number or Thai ID number, no need to know full bank details.
- QR Code Payments: Pay merchants and individuals by scanning a PromptPay QR code, widely accepted across Thailand.
- Low or No Fees: Transfers between individuals are typically free or very low cost compared to traditional bank transfers.
- Bank App Integration: Accessed through your existing Thai bank's mobile app rather than a separate app.
How to Get Started
- Open your Thai bank's mobile banking app and find the PromptPay registration option.
- Link your phone number or national ID number to your bank account.
- Use the "Transfer" or "PromptPay" option in your banking app to send money by phone number, ID, or QR code.
- Show your own QR code (generated in your banking app) to receive payments from others.
Before you use it
- Sign-up: PromptPay comes with a Thai bank account and its app; banks usually ask foreigners for a non-immigrant visa and often a work permit.
- Good to know: Without a Thai account, tourists can use TrueMoney or TAGTHAi Easy Pay topped up with cash to pay QR codes.
Local number needed
Local ID needed
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does PromptPay work with a foreign bank card in Thailand?
- Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
- Is PromptPay available in English?
- Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
- Do I need a local phone number to use PromptPay?
- Yes, PromptPay requires a local phone number to register.
- Do I need local ID or residency for PromptPay?
- Yes, PromptPay requires local ID or residency status.
- Where can I use PromptPay?
- iOS · Android
- How much does PromptPay cost?
- Free for payments under 5,000 THB; small fees above at some banks