TAT-ALIPAY PACT AIMS TO LURE CHINESE

Alipay and other QR code payments
 are accepted at a Hat Yai market.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with mobile payment platform Alipay of Ant Financial Services Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, to facilitate Alipay members while they visit Thailand.

Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT governor, said the partnership would introduce two applications — Zhima and Huabei — to help Alipay members complete visa-on-arrival and immigration procedures, as well as value-added tax (VAT) refunds.

The Zhima system allows members to fill in the information and submit documents and files through applications for visas on arrival. In theory, Alipay members will not have to wait in a long queue upon arrival in Thailand if they use the app.

The Huabei system offers revolving credit lines for Alipay users who need spare cash. The system lets Alipay members top up their credit limit while spending through Alipay in Thailand.

Mr Yuthasak said the TAT and Ant Financial expect to sign cooperation agreements on the two applications this month in Bangkok, with implementation planned for June.

In addition, the government is offering an e-tax VAT refund for Alipay members so they don’t have to wait in a long queue at the airport before departure.

Read the full article at Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1670076/tat-alipay-pact-aims-to-lure-chinese

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
c/o 3rd Floor, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Road, National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Web: www.mekongtourism.org
Tel: +66 2038 5071-1
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