Hello, I would like to have PromptPay/"Pay by scan" in the phone, if easy and serious. I will be touristing in small town Thailand (not Bangkok, Phuket etc.) for 3 months. I will have a Thai SIM card. But I do not have a Thai bank account, I do not have crypto, and I do not have a registered Thai home or longstay permit – I'm a tourist. I don't want to get a Thai bank account. (I KNOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T NEED/LIKE PromptPay/"Pay by scan", yet I would like it; I also have cash and credit card.)

In the last years, it had been difficult or impossible to get usable PromptPay as a tourist without a Thai bank account. I researched some ways how a tourist could use PromptPay/"Pay by scan".

PromptPay Merchant Accounts vs PromptPay Personal Accounts:

Notably, on the vendors' side there seem to be

• PromptPay Merchant accounts – only used by 7-11, Lotus and other chain-stores - not interesting for me

• PromptPay Personal accounts – used by all the market stalls, taxi drivers etc – and that's where I want to pay upcountry. But I hear that some small PromptPay-shops won't accept PromptPay-payments from tourists because the tourists' PromptPay only works with "Merchant accounts", i.e. with big chain stores.

I wanted to ask your experiences on the ground with the 3 following prepaid services (no bank-account needed), and maybe other serious, well-established services (not weird ones), if you know them. Here are my vague assumptions (not fact-checked on the ground):

1) TAGTHAi Easy Pay App with KASIKORNBANK, Kbank – best solution?

REQUIRES: TagThai App; Pay&Tour Prepaid Card from Kasikorn Bank

TOP-UP: any Kasikorn Bank, any Kasikorn Foreign Exchange booth – can that be true? User reports say that most Kasikorn Banks won't top it up. In November 2024, Kasikorn Staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport successfully talked me out of applying with so many words because it would be too complicated (even for a 1-time deposit of say 8000 THB, and in Nov 2024 they said, I could ONLY top-up my credit there at BKK airport and nowhere else in the Kingdom)

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS: Some say TagThai App/Kasikorn only works with vendors having a "Merchant account" (i.e. 7-11, Lotus; see above), but not with vendors using a "Personal account" (i.e. market stalls, taxi drivers; but I would like to pay mostly market stalls and such)

2) TrueMoney Wallet:

BAD: usable only with 7-11, Lotus's; NOT usable with small market vendors (because it's only for Merchant QR Code, not Personal QR Codes; thus it wouldn't be interesting for me)

GOOD: register just with passport and Thai mobile number; top-up in 7-11 and other TrueMoney partners (where to register?)

3) DeepPocket App (Lotus, Bangkok Bank)

Run by T2P Company Limited, supervised by Bank of Thailand (BoT). Claims to allow PromptPay use all over Thailand.

BAD: bad user reports. Tourist fee 399 THB/30 days (no fee for longstaying expats)

GOOD: supposedly accepts Merchant QR Codes (in big stores) and Personal QR Codes (market stalls). Top-up at Lotus's, Big C. (Topping up at Bangkok Bank more complicated/expensive.)

-

Those are my vague research results – not verified! What are your real experiences? Thanks!

Your residence and citizenship are important on this issue.

 

You may find that you have access to Apps that will give you wide access to the Thai scan system. For example, if an App for your country has access to the huge Alipay Plus system then you will have good access throughout Thailand.

 

For instance the impressive "Touch n Go" App of Malaysia would seem to offer access to Thailand's scan system. Alternatively you could even simply apply for the Chinese AliPay App.

 

I also think the information you have on TrueMoney Wallet is outdated. I think it will work pretty smoothly even with smaller merchants.

You can scan with truemoneywallet wallet app but potentially not all retailers, can apply using the app, top up with cash at 7 Eleven

Gaccha and scuba, thanks for input!

28 minutes ago, henrik2000 said:

Gaccha and scuba, thanks for input!

If you go for the True Money option you'll need to unlock the "advanced" features in order to use QR payments, which works very well once enabled.  To do that you'll need "work permit-related documents, non-immigrant visa, student visa, Thai driving license or legally proven documents of your stay in Thailand".  The "passport only" starter version is somewhat limited.

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

you'll need to unlock the "advanced" features in order to use QR payments,

 

This is surely incorrect.

 

The advanced version allows bank transfers, increases the maximum wallet size etc.

 

The very essence of the App is to allow QR payments in stores. I am sure this is allowed at the basic version. 

15 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

 

This is surely incorrect.

 

The advanced version allows bank transfers, increases the maximum wallet size etc.

 

The very essence of the App is to allow QR payments in stores. I am sure this is allowed at the basic version. 

I opened an account in June.  Until I updated it to an "advanced" account it's use was limited to 7-11 and other merchants with TM payments terminals, together with mobile top up, MRT top up and some other stuff.  QR/Promptpay payments were not possible until updated.  Now it works everywhere.

3 hours ago, Upnotover said:

it's use was limited to 7-11 and other merchants with TM payments

 

That's interesting. So it allows QR payments but only where "TM accepted" signs are shown. Apparently that is 7 million locations.

3 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

 

That's interesting. So it allows QR payments but only where "TM accepted" signs are shown. Apparently that is 7 million locations.

Not sure about that or where 7m comes from.  Those places that accept TM have dedicated TM payment terminals, at least in my experience, it is not a regular QR scan payment (same as in 7-11, they scan you, not you them).  Once enabled though you can scan any QR/promptpay code same as you do with a bank app.  

11 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Not sure about that or where 7m comes from.

 

"comes from" here https://www.truemoney.com/qr-payment/

 

TrueMoney Wallet,
the only app that offers more comprehensive spending
7 million points across Thailand

 

 

Pay at 7-11, Retails or any merchant with TrueMoney Accepted sign

 

 

Personally, I only use TrueMoney Wallet to pay at 7/11 or for 7/11 deliveries.

 

For others I use a mobile bank app (SCB or BBL).

 

 

 

1 minute ago, bamnutsak said:

 

"comes from" here https://www.truemoney.com/qr-payment/

 

TrueMoney Wallet,
the only app that offers more comprehensive spending
7 million points across Thailand

 

 

Pay at 7-11, Retails or any merchant with TrueMoney Accepted sign

 

 

Personally, I only use TrueMoney Wallet to pay at 7/11 or for 7/11 deliveries.

 

For others I use a mobile bank app (SCB or BBL).

 

 

 

 

Thanks for that.  My point was to identify that to access QR payments it is necessary to 'upgrade' to the advanced version which requires additional ID verification.  I did that to reduce the use of my bank app.

 

I use the Waiwin app. Available in all appstores. I used it several times at different locations and it works. You top it up via Wise so you also have a very good Exchange rate. It says that it works for all promptpay codes. I would say google it there are a few articles about this. It is quite new and my experience is that it works and you don’t need a Thai bank

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

My point was to identify that to access QR payments it is necessary to 'upgrade' to the advanced version which requires additional ID verification. 

 

I just checked my TrueMoney Wallet app, and under Account, I see that I already have an "Advanced Account" (top of screen just under Name and phone number) in Blue with a check mark.

 

So I can scan QR codes.

 

Maybe this was a result of enrolling a few years ago, and providing (at that time) the necessary identity verification documents?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

 

I just checked my TrueMoney Wallet app, and under Account, I see that I already have an "Advanced Account" (top of screen just under Name and phone number) in Blue with a check mark.

 

So I can scan QR codes.

 

Maybe this was a result of enrolling a few years ago, and providing (at that time) the necessary identity verification documents?

 

 

 

 

I guess so.  I had earlier given up trying to set up an account until I noticed they had changed the sign-up process to it's current 2 steps.

20 hours ago, Gaccha said:

This is surely incorrect.

 

The advanced version allows bank transfers, increases the maximum wallet size etc.

 

The very essence of the App is to allow QR payments in stores. I am sure this is allowed at the basic version. 

 

It's certainly confusing as I opened mine just a few months ago.  It's showing as Basic and I can apparently scan QR codes or have 711 scan my phone screen.  Upgrading gives you these extras (note the "and more").

 

Hi all. Thanks for discussing in detail including screenshots! Sorry, but i lost track - now as a tourist without Thai bank account, could i use the TrueMoney app for payment at small market stalls (not just 7-11 and other biggies)? 

Of course i could just try it without too much risk i guess. Still there might be a risk of going down a tech rabbit hole, trying and trying stuff endlessly that seems to be promised but isn't actually available. I'd like to avoid that. 

 

5 hours ago, Moneyhonour said:

I use the Waiwin app. Available in all appstores. I used it several times at different locations and it works. You top it up via Wise so you also have a very good Exchange rate. It says that it works for all promptpay codes. I would say google it there are a few articles about this. It is quite new and my experience is that it works and you don’t need a Thai bank

Thanks. After some research, i won't try it. 

5 hours ago, Moneyhonour said:

I use the Waiwin app. Available in all appstores. I used it several times at different locations and it works

 

That App is almost certainly a scam.

 

They don't hold a licence to operate in Thailand, and appear to be a rebrand of the scam Jamjuang App.

 

It is very difficult to gain access to the PromptPay service. You can't just make an App for it in your bedroom. It requires obeying complex KYC regulations etc.

 

AI says:

 

 

On 10/24/2025 at 10:50 AM, Gaccha said:

 

This is surely incorrect.

 

The advanced version allows bank transfers, increases the maximum wallet size etc.

 

The very essence of the App is to allow QR payments in stores. I am sure this is allowed at the basic version. 

You are wrong, only with an advanced KYC, for example Thai Driving license, can pay by qr code with Truemoney. And you can't use Truemoney for the Thai QR code payment at a streetfood shop. This is my experience in Bangkok in september this year. Wanted to use Truemoney at a streetfood shop but didn't work. With my Kasikorn App it wasn't a problem at all.

 

Can nowadays also just pay with the wireless option on any visa or mastercards. Works also in 7/11 from 200 baht on my European cards now.

 

Many of these new online companies offering to top up for paying with QR codes actually only works when you scan a business code. This while most owners and shops use private ones.

 

So anyway I would say cash + the foreign cards which work fine nowadays, apple pay more and more too. In Vietnam that's already my standard everywhere, cheaper than withdrawing and converting cash too.

19 hours ago, Gaccha said:

 

That App is almost certainly a scam.

 

They don't hold a licence to operate in Thailand, and appear to be a rebrand of the scam Jamjuang App.

 

It is very difficult to gain access to the PromptPay service. You can't just make an App for it in your bedroom. It requires obeying complex KYC regulations etc.

 

AI says:

 

 

I used it a few times this month I don’t see any problems. I just topped up thb 4000 so I won’t got hurt that much if it was a scam but to my experience it wasn’t and I did several payments that went very smooth with the scan as you can see in the screenshot 

 

On 10/25/2025 at 7:54 PM, ChaiyaTH said:

Can nowadays also just pay with the wireless option on any visa or mastercards. Works also in 7/11 from 200 baht on my European cards now.

 

My understanding is the 200 baht minimum for EDC at 7/11 only applies to domestic Thai visa or Mastercards. I believe that European cards or American cards or anywhere else have no minimum applied to them in Thailand. Give it a try.

2 hours ago, Gaccha said:

 

My understanding is the 200 baht minimum for EDC at 7/11 only applies to domestic Thai visa or Mastercards. I believe that European cards or American cards or anywhere else have no minimum applied to them in Thailand. Give it a try.

Wrong! The minimum of 200 THB is valid for all credit cards!

On 10/22/2025 at 6:50 PM, henrik2000 said:

I also have cash and credit card

Bingo! 

Use cash headache free!

 

17 hours ago, supersomchai said:

Use cash headache free!

Well, i have to. I'm resigned to. PromptPay on markets etc. WOULD be nice i know very well, but it seems out of reach for a simple tourist. (I don't need it for 7-11.)

 

Thanks all for more input! 

A quick Google search shows possible answers below 

 

For users without a Thai bank account

1. Download an international wallet app: Download an app like Moreta Pay, which allows you to link international bank accounts or services like Wise or Revolut.
2. Load funds: Add money to your digital wallet through the app.
3. Pay with the app: Use the app to scan the PromptPay QR code presented by the merchant and complete the transaction from your digital wallet. 

4 hours ago, superal said:

A quick Google search shows possible answers below 

 

For users without a Thai bank account

1. Download an international wallet app: Download an app like Moreta Pay, which allows you to link international bank accounts or services like Wise or Revolut.
2. Load funds: Add money to your digital wallet through the app.
3. Pay with the app: Use the app to scan the PromptPay QR code presented by the merchant and complete the transaction from your digital wallet. 

Thanks Superal. All evidence shows it's more difficult than that for a tourist who wants to pay at market stalls, not just 7-11.

21 hours ago, henrik2000 said:

Thanks Superal. All evidence shows it's more difficult than that for a tourist who wants to pay at market stalls, not just 7-11.

Most market vendors will only deal in cash so I reckon that having some cash in the local currency is a must have .

Have you considered using Western Union ?

I've been using Deeppocket for a while now. The newly introduced membership fee was waived a while back, since it was quite hefty. Now there is a 2% top up fee via QR and 3,5% top up fee via credit card. I personally get topped up by my girlfriend with money I send her from Wise. So far the app has never failed me.

On 11/5/2025 at 8:24 PM, supersomchai said:

Use cash headache free!

 

 

Cash is the biggest headache. 

 

Thais often don’t have change. At bars you often get billed twice and with scan pay you keep the receipt . Also, I am a cheap charlie that doesn’t tip and scan pay wriggles me free of that. 

 

Buying bus, train or plane tickets is easy with scan pay. At malls, I don’t need to buy the cash card, can pay directly at the shop. It’s harder to lose as well, cash can be more easily frittered away or fall out of your pocket.

 

The only downside is the app isn’t well optimized and is a bit slow.

 

So anyway, cash is gash and scan pay is king.