PromptPay for Foreigners — QR Payments in Thailand Explained (2026)
How foreigners use PromptPay in Thailand: registering with a passport number, paying by QR without registering, eligibility, and how it compares to cash.
Thailand Runs on QR Payments
From street-food stalls to taxis, Thailand is largely cashless thanks to PromptPay — the national real-time payment system launched in 2016 and overseen by the Bank of Thailand. Understanding it will save you time and ATM fees.
Note: Procedures differ slightly by bank. The steps below are a general guide — check your bank’s app for the exact menu names.
What Is PromptPay?
Per the Bank of Thailand, PromptPay lets users link an existing bank account to a citizen ID or phone number and then send/receive money through mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, or branches — using that ID instead of a long account number.
Can Foreigners Use It?
Yes. Two situations to separate:
- To receive money (someone pays you), you need to register PromptPay against your account.
- To pay a shop’s PromptPay QR code, you generally don’t need to register — just scan and pay from your banking app.
Registering as a Foreigner
According to bank and consumer guides, the process is:
- Open your bank’s app and find the PromptPay / Register PromptPay menu (the name varies by bank).
- Choose your registration method — by mobile phone number (most convenient) or by ID: a Thai citizen ID, or for foreigners your passport/document number.
- Link the bank account you want to use for payments.
Note that some banks only allow PromptPay on individual savings or current accounts (not joint or corporate accounts). You’ll need a Thai bank account first — see How to Open a Thai Bank Account.
No Thai Account Yet? Options for Tourists
If you’re a short-term visitor and can’t open a Thai account (most banks now require a long-stay visa), some tourist e-wallet apps let you load funds and scan-and-pay Thai PromptPay QR codes. Handy until you settle in and qualify for a local account.
Everyday Uses
- Pay merchants by scanning their QR code
- Split bills with friends instantly — try our Bill Split Calculator
- Generate your own PromptPay QR to get paid — use the PromptPay QR Generator
- Pay rent and utilities without cash
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners use PromptPay in Thailand?
Yes. PromptPay is run by Thai banks under the Bank of Thailand. To receive money you register by linking your Thai bank account to your phone number or, as a foreigner, your passport/document number. To simply pay a PromptPay QR code, you usually don’t need to register at all.
How do I register for PromptPay as a foreigner?
In your bank’s mobile app, open the PromptPay menu, choose to register by mobile number or by ID (passport/document number for foreigners), and link the bank account you want to use. You can also register via internet banking, ATM, or a branch.
Do I need to register PromptPay to pay by QR?
No. Registration is needed to receive money via PromptPay. To pay a shop’s PromptPay QR code, you just scan and pay from your mobile banking app.
Can tourists use PromptPay without a Thai bank account?
Tourists without a Thai account can use certain tourist e-wallet apps that let them scan and pay Thai PromptPay QR codes, since opening a Thai bank account usually requires a long-term visa.
Useful Tools & Guides
- Moving to Thailand — Complete Guide — the full relocation hub
- PromptPay QR Generator — create a QR to get paid
- Bill Split Calculator — divide a bill fairly
- Cost of Living Calculator — plan your monthly spending
- How to Open a Thai Bank Account — the first step to using PromptPay