Joint Press Release
Launch of the Cross-border QR Payment Linkage between Thailand and the Lao PDR
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Bank of Lao PDR (BOL) announced the launch of thecross-border QR payment linkage between Thailand and the Lao PDR today, 3 April 2024, atthe sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Luang
Prabang, Lao PDR. This marks the success of linking the instant retail payment systems of bothcountries to bolster trade, investment, tourism, and the use of local currencies under the ASEAN
Payment Connectivity initiative.
The cross-border QR payment linkage will facilitate economic activities between
Thailand and Lao PDR, particularly those related to the tourism sector. As close neighbors,
both countries enjoy significant bilateral tourism, with the number of Thai and Lao tourists
traveling between both countries reaching 2 million in 2023, and this is expected to increase inthe future.
In the first phase from 3 April 2024, users from Lao PDR will be able to use mobilebanking applications of participating commercial banks to scan Thai PromptPay QR Codedisplayed by merchants in Thailand.
In the second phase, beginning at the end of June 2024, users from Thailand will beable to use mobile banking applications of participating commercial banks to scan LAO QR Codedisplayed by merchants in Lao PDR.
Dr. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, said, “The Bank ofThailand recognizes the importance of implementing cross-border real-time payment linkages
and has collaborated with five ASEAN countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, andVietnam. The Lao PDR is our sixth linkage under the ASEAN Payment Connectivity initiative. The
Bank of Thailand believes that cross-border QR payment service will be a safer, more efficient,and cost-attractive alternative for retail payments in ASEAN, thereby promoting economic
growth in the region and supporting the transition towards a digital society.”
Mr. Bounleua Sinxayvoravong, Governor of the Bank of Lao PDR, said, “The collaboration
between Laos and Thailand in the realm of financial services is a reflection of our shared vision
for regional integration, economic development, and prosperity. Through initiatives such as this,we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening ties and fostering mutual growth as well as theregional growth.
The introduction of Cross-border QR Code Payment represents a leap forward in therealm of financial technology, promising greater convenience, efficiency, and security in crossborder transactions. By harnessing the power of digital innovation, we aim to overcome
traditional barriers and facilitate seamless financial flows between our nations.”
This initiative is made possible through the collaboration from various stakeholders fromboth jurisdictions under the joint stewardship of the BOT and BOL. These include theNational ITMX (NITMX) and Lao National Payment Network (LAPNet) as operators of therespective instant payment systems, as well as Kasikornbank (KBank) and Banque Pour Le
Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) as settlement banks responsible for cross-border settlements.
The commercial banks which will offer cross-border QR payment service to their customers via
their mobile payment applications include two commercial banks from Thailand and six
commercial banks from Lao PDR. The list of participating commercial banks including the banks
providing QR codes to the merchants supporting this service can be found in Appendix. Morepayment service providers are expected to participate in offering this service in the near future,thus broadening the network of users and merchants.
Bank of Thailand
Bank of the Lao PDR
3 April 2024

For media enquiries, please contact:
Bank of Thailand
Payment Systems and Financial Technology Policy Department
Tel: (+66) 2283 5033
Email: crossborderpayments@bot.or.th
Bank of the Lao PDR
Payment Systems Oversight Department
Tel: (+856) 2125 3595
Email: psd.pd@bol.gov.laAppendix
List of Participating Commercial Banks Providing theThailand-Lao PDR Cross-border QR Payment Service
Users from Lao PDR paying in Thailand

Users from Thailand paying in Lao PDR(This service is available from 3 April 2024)(This service will be available in June 2024)

use the following
payment applications
ACLEDA Bank Lao
Agricultural Promotion
Bank
Banque Pour Le
Commerce Exterieur Lao

to scan QR codes
provided by thefollowing institutions
Bangkok Bank

Bank of Ayudhya

Bank of Ayudhya

Krungthai Bankuse the following
payment applications

Kasikornbank
Krungthai Bank

to scan QR codes
provided by thefollowing institutions
ACLEDA Bank Lao
Agricultural Promotion
Bank
Banque Pour Le
Commerce Exterieur Lao

Joint Development Bank

Joint Development Bank

Lao - Viet Bank

Kasikornbank LaosST Bank

Lao Development Bank
Lao - Viet BankST Bank* Names of participating institutions listed in ascending alphabetical order