Alipay Payment for Vending Machines in Thailand

Kasikornbank, Alipay and Sun 108, Thailand’s leading vending machine operator, have installed 24 vending machines around the country that allow Chinese customers to pay via the app Alipay. This follows the widespread introduction of the payment service in convenience stores and major shopping malls in 2016.

These first 24 vending machines have been placed in popular tourists sights and major department stores, while another 500 will be added in the next 3 years. The vending machines allow for more convenient purchases and make Chinese visitors feel welcome by using their familiar payment option.

While China is Thailand’s largest source market of international tourists, Chinese arrival numbers have slowed in recent months following the government crackdown on “zero-dollar” group tours in the country. Accordingly, the Thai government has announced that it will continue to introduce measures making the country more amenable to Chinese travellers in order to meet its target of 9.8 million arrivals in 2017, which would represent an 11% year-on-year increase from 2016’s total of almost 8.8 million border crossings.

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Source: Thaivisa, gbtimes, China Travel News

Image: Flickr