LINE Pay in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide for Foreigners

LINE Pay, rebranded from Rabbit LINE Pay¹, is one of several QR code payment systems in Thailand. It lets users scan a merchant's code – or have a merchant scan theirs – to pay for goods and services. It also works for online purchases, and has carved out a real place in Thai daily life thanks to its deep integration with other platforms. Most notably, you can use it alongside other LINE services – particularly LINE Man for taxi hailing and food delivery – and with the BTS Skytrain.

The result? A must-have app for locals and expats alike. If you're a tourist, the app may look appealing, but strict ID requirements make it unlikely you'll be able to use it. This guide covers everything you need to know about LINE Pay for foreigners and locals – and suggests some alternatives if you're unable to sign up.

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What is LINE Pay?

LINE Pay is an e-wallet built directly into the LINE app. While the name has recently changed, the services available to users remain exactly the same. Because the wallet lives within the LINE app, there's no separate download required – though you will still need to register for the e-wallet even if you already have a LINE account.

LINE Pay is accepted at merchants throughout the country², and it is integrated with the BTS Skytrain through the Rabbit Card – more on that later. You can also use your LINE Pay account to make purchases both online and offline³, pay bills, and order food. Simply choose LINE Pay as your payment method at checkout.

To pay bills, use the dedicated Bills payment menu⁴, which lets you scan the barcode and enter your payment amount. Do note that you may be charged a service fee of up to 10 THB for bill payment.

The many ways LINE Pay can be used, combined with its deep integration with the wider LINE app, have given it genuine market dominance – particularly among tech-savvy young users – making it a fixture of Thai daily life.

Can Foreigners Use LINE Pay in Thailand?

Foreigners can use LINE Pay, but in practice it's generally only accessible to expats – tourists will need to look at other options. When signing up, you'll need to verify your identity using your Thai National ID Card Number, as well as a local phone number. For expats living in Thailand, this is usually manageable. For tourists, it's simply not as convenient.

For expats, getting LINE Pay set up is highly recommended for easy commuting and payments at merchants across the country. For tourists, while LINE Pay probably isn't the answer, having some kind of QR payment option is well worth it – it's one of the most common ways to pay in Thailand, and can make on-the-go purchases far simpler.

How to Register and Set Up the App

To get started with LINE Pay, you'll first need a LINE app account – the e-wallet lives inside the general LINE app. Once you've downloaded LINE, sign up by verifying your phone number via text message or phone call⁵. Once your main account is set up⁶:

1. Click on Start using LINE Pay in the Wallet menu.
2. Enter your National ID card information.
3. Take a photo of yourself to verify your identity.
4. Provide your personal information – including your ID card, residential address, and work address.
5. Agree to the terms and conditions.

Once your ID has been verified, you're ready to go. Add your credit card to start spending:

1. From the LINE Pay main menu, click Add Credit Card, or go to Settings then Credit card.
2. Enter your card information (card number, expiration date, and CVC).

You can add multiple cards to your LINE Pay account and set your most-used one as your primary card.

How to Top Up Your LINE Pay Wallet

You can top up your LINE Pay wallet using a linked Thai bank account, a mobile banking app, at a BTS ticket office, or at a cash deposit kiosk. The exact steps vary slightly by bank, but here's the general process:

1. Select Add Money from the LINE Pay menu.
2. Choose your banking app.
3. You'll be directed to the banking app – enter the password and fill in the transaction details as prompted on screen.
4. Review the transfer and select Confirm (or similar).

The following banks' mobile banking apps support LINE Pay top-ups:

• Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)
• Bank of Ayudhya (BAY)
• Bangkok Bank (BBL)
• Kasikorn Bank (KBANK)
• Krungthai Bank (KTB)

You can also top up with cash in several ways, including at a Boonterm kiosk. Alternatively, use the My Code feature:

1. Go to LINE Pay and enter your passcode.
2. Tap My Code.
3. Scan your code at the store's QR code reader.
4. Pay the store in cash for the amount you'd like to top up.

You can top up this way at McDonald's, Kerry Express Parcel Shop, all BTS Skytrain stations, and certain food centres, among other places.

There are generally no fees to top up your LINE Pay account, though some kiosks may apply a charge. Do keep in mind there is a 15 THB withdrawal fee to remove funds from your account – so only top up what you think you'll use.

How to Use LINE Pay in Thailand

Once you've got LINE Pay set up, paying merchants is straightforward. You can either generate your My Code, which the merchant scans to take payment, or the merchant may present you with a LINE Pay code that you scan yourself⁷.

For online purchases, select LINE Pay as your payment method at checkout. You'll be taken to the LINE Pay app, where you choose your payment method, tap Pay, tap OK, and enter your LINE Pay password to complete the purchase. You may then be redirected to the merchant's page to finish checkout.

LINE Pay is also tightly integrated with LINE Man – both are run by the same company. So if you've already got LINE Pay set up, paying for food delivery, parcel delivery, and ride hailing through LINE Man is seamless⁸.

Scanning Thai QRs Without a Local Account

QR code payments like LINE Pay and PromptPay are everywhere in Thailand. Being able to pay via QR code is essential – even if you're only visiting for a short time. So if you're a tourist, you'll need a tourist-friendly alternative.

For many, using a foreign currency specialist like Wise provides a practical answer. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent pricing, so you'll always know exactly what your currency conversion costs. In Thailand, you can use your Wise card for on-the-ground payments and link it to wallets like Grab (or LINE Pay, if you're eligible).

How to Scan and Pay in Thailand Using the Wise App (via Alipay+)

Don't have a local Thai e-wallet? No problem. Wise lets you scan local QR codes anywhere the Alipay+ logo is displayed – no Alipay account required. It's one of the most practical ways for foreigners to pay like a local in Thailand. Do note that this feature is currently available to Wise customers residing in Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Here's how it works:

1. Open the Wise app and tap on the scan button.
2. Alternatively, select the Card tab.
3. Swipe left to the picture of your card.
4. Select Scan QR code to open your camera – or Import QR code if you already have a picture of the QR code saved.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to complete your payment.

To check the status of your transaction, simply return to the homepage on the Wise app.

Riding the BTS Skytrain with LINE Pay

Most people use a Rabbit Card to ride the BTS Skytrain – a reloadable card that lets you tap in and out without queuing for individual tickets. While you can top it up at the station with cash or card, linking it to LINE Pay means you can skip that queue entirely.

You can buy a Rabbit Card at any BTS station and top it up directly through the LINE app. But first, you'll need to register your card⁹:

1. On the LINE app, select Wallet.
2. Click on the tab next to the LINE Pay logo, then select BTS.
3. Click Register your Rabbit Card and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
4. Enter your 13-digit Rabbit Card number and select your payment method.
5. Enter your LINE Pay password.

After registering, you'll need to visit a ticket office to activate it. Bring your Rabbit Card, ID card, and registered mobile phone. Once activated, topping up your Rabbit Card is easy:

1. Select Wallet in the app, press the tab by the LINE Pay logo, then tap the BTS icon.
2. Choose your top-up amount and payment method.
3. You'll be automatically directed to your chosen mobile banking app.
4. Once the transaction is complete, return to LINE Pay – the system will confirm successful payment.

This is a popular option among locals because it gives you more control over your card. You can view your fare history, skip the top-up queue, and instantly suspend or reactivate your card if it goes missing¹⁰.

Does LINE Pay Allow International Transfers?

LINE Pay is only available in Thailand, Japan, and Taiwan. For payments outside of these countries, you'll need a different provider. Wise is one option worth considering, offering currency conversion and international payments for a low, transparent fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LINE Pay safe?

Yes. LINE Pay is a safe way to make QR payments with compatible merchants. It uses 5-step security to keep your money protected.

In which countries is LINE Pay available?

LINE Pay is available in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan.

Can I send money to friends using LINE Pay?

Yes. Here's how:

1. Select Send money.
2. Select the friend you want to send money to.
3. Enter the amount you'd like to send, plus an optional message or sticker.
4. Tap Send money.
5. Enter your LINE password.

There's no fee to send money to friends, though they must have a LINE account. If you send money to a friend who doesn't yet have one, they have 7 days to sign up before the money is returned to you.

Convert and send THB with low, transparent fees and the mid-market rate with Wise

Looking for a quick and easy way to send money to Thailand? Consider using Wise to manage your international transfers.

Converting money to Thai baht and transferring it from abroad can get very expensive when using traditional banks and remittance services. On top of transaction fees, you might end up paying more due to hidden charges like conversion fees and exchange rate markups.

Wise transfers use the mid-market rate, also known as the rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees that are shown to you upfront. This makes it easy to see how much you’ll be sending or receiving at a single glance.

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See how Wise compares with other providers:

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Sources:

1. Line Man Wong Mai - Line Pay rebranding
2. Line Pay - Main global portal
3. Line Pay - About: Payment
4. LinePay - FAQ
5. Line Pay help centre - Creating a new Line account
6. Line Pay - About: Sign up
7. Line Pay developers - Offline
8. Line Man Wong Mai - If an order made via e-payment is cancelled how can I get a refund
9. BTS - Issuing a rabbit card
10. Line Pay - About: BTS