Cross-border Card Usage Transformations in Thailand: In-depth Data Insights from Various Directions
In the dynamic world of cross-border payments, Thailand presents an intriguing case study. A country with a strong economy within Southeast Asia and a growing number of international travellers, Thailand's payment landscape has been shaped by various factors, particularly travel trends.
According to recent research and analysis, card use remains popular among foreign travellers in Thailand, with transactions associated with inbound cross-border card payments growing. However, these flows have experienced changes due to tourism fluctuations.
Domestically, about 205 million domestic trips generated around 1.1 trillion baht in 2025, indicating a propensity for outbound travel by Thai residents, which typically raises cross-border card usage for payments abroad. The Bank of Thailand's data shows that outbound cross-border card flows in Thailand have been growing, with spend per transaction rising.
On the other hand, Thailand has seen over 35 million foreign arrivals in 2024 and 2025, but international tourist revenue and arrivals have been volatile and below pre-pandemic levels. The decline in Chinese tourists, a key inbound segment, by about 25% in early 2025 has decreased inbound spending, impacting the volume of foreign card usage in Thailand.
Despite these challenges, e-wallets have become a popular payment type for residents in Thailand, but card ownership is also high. The net effect is a complex balance, with ongoing domestic and outbound travel supporting card use by Thai residents, but overall tourism volatility limiting inbound card usage growth in Thailand.
The article, authored by Lucy Ingham, delves deeper into this evolving landscape, exploring the factors shaping Thailand's international use of payment instruments. The piece can be accessed through a free account. It is worth noting that Thailand is a key focus for both inbound and outbound cross-border payments, making it an important market within the emerging Southeast Asia region, considered critical for future growth by many payments players.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has created challenges for both inbound and outbound travel in Thailand, leading to headwinds for cross-border payments companies. As the situation evolves, it will be interesting to observe how Thailand's cross-border payment landscape adapts and grows.
In conclusion, the growth of Thai residents traveling internationally tends to increase outbound cross-border card usage, while fluctuations in foreign arrivals, especially a decline in Chinese tourists, have led to decreased inbound card transactions. This complex balance reflects the evolving nature of cross-border payments in Thailand, a country that continues to be a significant player in the global payments landscape.
Technology has played a crucial role in shaping the evolving landscape of cross-border payments in Thailand, with card usage and e-wallets becoming increasingly popular. With a focus on finance, various factors such as travel trends, tourism volumes, and fluctuations in foreign arrivals have affected the growth of cross-border card transactions in Thailand, highlighting the need for adaptability in the face of changing circumstances.
