Bangkok Bank joined UnionPay International and Ctrip to launch the Fan“Thai”stic! promotion which provides Chinese tourists a seamless, convenient and rewarding experience in Thailand. This supports the development of the Thai economy aligned to the Bank’s role as a “reliable close friend”.
Offering Chinese tourists exclusive discounts and offers, this promotion coincides with the Thai government’s launch of visa-free policies for Chinese tourists, leading to a growth in flights to, and hotel bookings in Thailand. It also coincides with China’s National Day period from October 1, 2023, which will see many outbound tourists visiting Thailand, a long-favored destination.
Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President of Bangkok Bank, joined the launch ceremony in Shanghai, China with Cai Jianbo, President of China UnionPay and Chairman of UnionPay International, Tamrongsak Lompongpipat, Deputy Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Shanghai Office, Wang Hui, Vice President of Ctrip Group, and representatives from Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, Industrial Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and Bank of Shanghai.
Mr. Chartsiri said the Bank has enjoyed a strategic partnership with UnionPay International for 10 years, supported by close economic, trade and cultural ties between China and Thailand.
“Bangkok Bank was the first bank in Thailand to issue UnionPay credit cards and support cross-border payments using UnionPay QR codes,” said Mr. Chartsiri. “QR code payments through our Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app can also be used in China.”
“Following the enactment of visa-free policies for Chinese tourists in Thailand, Bangkok Bank and UnionPay International have joined to launch this promotional event, which will provide Chinese tourists with a more convenient and affordable payment experience. We look forward to future cooperation with UnionPay International.”
The Fan“Thai”stic! promotion offers exclusive discounts for customers who use their UnionPay card to book Thai hotels and tours on Ctrip or flight tickets on Thai Airways, as well as to make purchases at participating Thai retailers.
In addition, UnionPay International is offering a privileged foreign exchange rate for QR code transactions in Thailand.
“Our collaboration with UnionPay International has also helped us to leverage the latest digital tools to serve customers across borders,” said Mr. Chartsiri. “This year we achieved a new milestone with 9 million cards on issue. We are very confident that with UnionPay International we will be able to achieve many more innovative breakthroughs that will enable us to extend our leadership in the regional payments business.”
In Thailand, UnionPay cards can be used at almost all ATMs and merchant POS terminals for payment, and hundreds of thousands of merchants support UnionPay QR codes.