The Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) is in talks with the Bank of Thailand (BOT) regarding construction on an alternative payment methods, which will include a provision for cryptocurrency for Russian and Ukraine tourists that are trapped in Thailand.
Visa and Mastercard have suspended use of Russian credit cards abroad as part of international sanctions imposed against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement today, President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam of the PTA said he has discussed the possibility of allowing Russian tourists the ability to use cryptocurrency as a payment method in emergency situations.
He stated that “cryptocurrency would be a backup in case transactions could not proceed”. He also discussed the possibility of linking Thai businesses with the Russian payment system.
Currently most tourism businesses have reportedly been turning towards the Chinese payment platform UnionPay, which have offer Russian citizens an alternative way of settling their debts.
Bhummikitti said that there are currently 3,500 to 4,000 tourists from Russia and 300-400 from Ukraine in Phuket. Also there is another 3,000 from both countries, which are holidaying in Koh Samui, Krabi and Pattaya, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The Bt1,900 fee to extend their Visas has been waived by the government, while the TAT and tourism operators are discussing other measures to help Russian and Ukrainian tourists who may be stranded by cancelled flights or conflict in their home country. Russia’s Aeroflot and S7 airlines have suspended all flights to Phuket.
Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting will discuss more moves to help stranded tourists, including setting up a tourist-support centre and shelter. It will also discuss arranging repatriation flights for Russian tourists, including solutions to problems with travel insurance. No tourists from either country would be deported against their will, said authorities.
