QR Codes for Payments

While not a requirement, PromptPay can make use of the QR code to deliver both the payment ID and the amount. The QR codes are generated using the EMV QRCPS Merchant Presented Mode specification. There are further technical details listed on the Bank of Thailand website. The inner workings of this QR code creation can be seen in this code snip. The necessary variables are embedded so that any app able to read this QR code will know the country, currency, and other particulars.

const GUID_PROMPTPAY = "A000000677010111"

const TRANSACTION_CURRENCY_THB = "764"

const COUNTRY_CODE_TH = "TH"

All a user needs to do is enter a payment ID and optionally an amount value. Once a string of payment information is created it would look like this:

00020101021229370016A000000677010111011300668979238085802TH530376454044.376304B585

This QR code shown here has a payment ID and amount embedded into it:

Scan and pay me 4.37 Baht!

The main point of the QR code option is that it removes the need for the sender to enter any account numbers or amounts. This is a clear improvement in saving time an reducing errors when exchanging bank account / phone numbers.

If you want to generate your own PromptPay QR code, take a look at PromptPay2.me. Enter a PromptPay payer ID and amount to generate your own QR code. This code can be used by anyone to make a payment of the specified amount. Or better yet, you can include the whole transaction into a url string at Promptpay.io. Send the link to anyone for an easy payment.

https://promptpay.io/<payeeID>/<thb_amount>

https://promptpay.io/0812341234/99

Local banks are coming out with their own PromptPay merchant apps. For example there is True Merchant 4.o, K Plus Shop, and SCB Easy Pay. These all hope to capture Point of Sale transactions and provide a layer of additional information and extras on top of the basic transaction.

Wait, is this Decentralized?

Nope, it’s technology developed by Vocalink and uses the ISO 20022 standard.

How a payment is made

Payments will originate from online banking or a mobile wallet from a bank or e-wallet service in Thailand. To make a PromptPay payment, you are not required be registered with PromptPay, however some applications may require it. You do of course need a Thai bank or e-wallet account.

Inside of your bank app will be an option to scan a QR code. Scanning a code, like the one above, opens access to your phone’s camera and then is able to read the data embedded in the QR code.

QR code scanning feature in Kbank, SCB, BBL and Krung Thai apps.

How to start

Authorities have claimed over 31 million PromptPay accounts have been created. Mostly this quick adoption has happened as the Thai Government wishes to use this system to push out social benefits and tax returns. Most government workers have been required to enroll.

To start usingPromptPay you need:

A Thai bank account or wallet app

A Thai mobile number or National ID

Then you need to connect your ID/phone number to your bank account at your bank of choice — your ID then becomes a proxy for that bank account. This connection is done on your bank site or app. Foreigners can get get registered for PromptPay as well.

Where PromptPay is being used

Currently you may find a PromptPay QR code at 20–30% of business nationwide. This is mainly due to the big bank push, to secure a user’s connection to that bank. Some users report the special POS versions of the QR code taking up to 2 minutes, but normally speed depends on you, and how fast you can open your app, scan and pay.

Some interesting applications

Prompt pay will open up many interesting opportunities if allow to flourish. Here are just a few:

Vending machines that don’t need trusted money pick ups

Easy, realtime donations at live events

Pay to vote applications

Exchange THB to other digital curriences

Digital locks, that open when paid

Parking meters

Virtual stickers, gifts or games lives costing a few baht

Tips

Privacy Concerns

If you have activated PromptPay on your phone number, anyone with that number will be able to look up your full name. Any person that pays you, will see your full name as well. And of course, now the Thai Government, and possibly Vocalink (Mastercard) have a record of your Name, Phone, and all of your PromptPay transfers.

Where do we go from here

The world is rapidly moving to accept digital money and Thailand has a very reasonable digital money solution. There are many advantages that will ensure that PromptPay has a successful adoption in the Thai market. Additionally PromptPay opens opportunity for many innovative uses. Personally I would predict 80% of daily payments made using PromptPay within 5 years.