Tuk-tuks in Thailand now accept Visa tap-to-pay in new Krungthai rollout
Foreign tourists and expats can now pay for tuk-tuk rides using contactless cards or scans, eliminating the need to carry exact cash.
VMVisa Manager Desk19 Jun 2026✓ Verified 19 Jun 20262 min read1 sources
The short version
Krungthai Bank and Visa have launched a 'tap-and-scan' payment system for Thai tuk-tuks.
Passengers can now pay fares using contactless Visa cards or mobile scans.
The rollout aims to reduce the reliance on cash for foreign tourists and expats.
Expats and tourists in Thailand can finally leave the exact change at home when hailing a tuk-tuk. According to a recent report from Khaosod Thai (in Thai), Krungthai Bank has partnered with Visa to launch a new "tap-and-scan" payment system specifically for the country's iconic three-wheeled taxis.
The rollout marks the first time a formalized cashless payment system has been implemented for tuk-tuks. The initiative is aimed directly at supporting foreign tourists and residents who prefer digital transactions over carrying cash.
What this means for you
Photoshankar s. · BY 2.0 · wikimedia
If you live in Thailand, navigating tuk-tuk fares has traditionally meant carrying small bills and hoping the driver has change. This new system modernizes the transit experience.
Here is what the update changes for your daily commute:
Contactless payments: Passengers can tap a physical Visa card or use a linked mobile device to pay the fare directly.
Scan-to-pay: The system also supports scanning to complete the cashless transaction, catering to mobile-first users.
No more exact change: You no longer need to worry about drivers lacking change for larger baht notes.
While the announcement highlights the partnership between Krungthai Bank and Visa, the report does not specify how quickly the payment terminals will be distributed to drivers, or if the initial rollout is limited to specific tourist zones in Bangkok.
For now, keep an eye out for Visa and Krungthai signage on local tuk-tuks, but keep a few small baht notes in your wallet just in case your driver has not yet adopted the new system.
Why it matters
You can now pay for tuk-tuk rides using your credit card or phone, removing the hassle of carrying exact cash or negotiating change with drivers.
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