How to accept PromptPay and card payments on your website in Thailand, compare payment gateways and avoid checkout mistakes.
For a lot of Thai small businesses, "online payment" still means this: the customer transfers money through their banking app, takes a screenshot of the slip, sends it on LINE, and someone on your team checks the bank account, matches the amount and confirms the order. It works — until you have thirty orders on a Friday night.
Taking payments directly on your website feels like a big step, but it has become much easier. This guide explains the options, how to choose a provider, and how to set up a checkout that Thai customers actually trust.
How Thai customers like to pay
Thailand leapfrogged straight to mobile payments. Since the Bank of Thailand launched PromptPay in 2017, paying by scanning a QR code with a banking app has become second nature for most people — for street food, rent and online shopping alike. Credit and debit cards are common too, especially for larger purchases, subscriptions and foreign customers. E-wallets such as TrueMoney Wallet are popular with some audiences, and many e-commerce shoppers in Thailand still like the option of cash on delivery.
Offer PromptPay QR and cards at minimum; add others based on who your customers are.
Three ways to take payment on a website
1. Manual bank transfer with slip upload
The customer sees your account number or a static PromptPay QR, pays, and uploads the slip. It costs nothing in fees, and it's fine for low volumes. But every order needs a human to check it, mistakes happen, customers wait for confirmation, and fake or edited slips are a real problem. It doesn't work for instant bookings or orders at 2am.
2. A payment gateway
A payment gateway is a licensed company that sits between your website and the banks. It creates a unique PromptPay QR for each order (or takes card details on its secure page), confirms the payment instantly and tells your website automatically, so the order is marked as paid without anyone checking a bank app. The gateway takes a percentage or fixed fee per transaction and pays the money into your bank account on a schedule.
Providers used by Thai businesses include local gateways such as Opn Payments (formerly Omise), 2C2P and GB Prime Pay, payment services from Thai banks, and international options. When comparing international providers, check that they support Thai-registered businesses, payouts in baht and PromptPay — not just cards.
3. A platform with payments built in
Shop platforms like Shopify, or booking and delivery platforms, often include their own payment processing. It's the fastest way to start, but you pay platform fees on top of transaction fees and you're limited to what the platform supports. For many growing businesses, a custom website connected directly to a gateway ends up cheaper and more flexible.
With a gateway, the website knows the order is paid within seconds — no slip checking.
How to compare payment gateways
Fees get all the attention, but they're only one line on the comparison. Ask every provider these questions:
Question Why it matters
Which methods: PromptPay, cards, wallets, instalments? Missing your customers' favourite method loses sales
Fee per method (card vs PromptPay)? Card fees are usually higher; PromptPay is typically cheaper
Setup, monthly and minimum fees? Small businesses can be hurt by fixed monthly charges
How fast are payouts to your bank? Cash flow — daily vs weekly makes a difference
What documents are needed to sign up? Company vs individual, VAT registration, website requirements
Refunds, disputes and chargebacks? How easy it is to refund, and what happens with card disputes
Does it integrate with your website? Ready-made plugins or a clean API save development time
Card fees in Thailand are commonly a few percent per transaction, while PromptPay QR payments through a gateway usually cost noticeably less. Rates change and depend on your volume — always get a current quote, and ask if they'll lower the rate as you grow.
Checkout mistakes that quietly lose sales
- Surprise costs at the end: show shipping and fees before the last step. Unexpected costs are one of the most common reasons people abandon a checkout.
- Forcing account creation: let people check out as a guest. Offer to save details after payment, not before.
- A QR code on desktop only: on a phone, customers can't scan a QR shown on the same screen. Let them save the QR image or open their banking app directly, and make the amount and reference crystal clear.
- No confirmation: send an instant confirmation page, email and — ideally — a LINE message with the order number.
- Too many fields: every extra box on the checkout form costs completions. Ask only for what you need to deliver.
- English-only checkout: if your shoppers are Thai, the checkout must be in Thai too, including error messages.
Security: let the gateway handle cards
Never collect or store card numbers on your own server. Good gateways provide a secure payment page or embedded fields, so card data goes straight to them and your website never touches it. That keeps you out of the heavy card-security (PCI DSS) requirements and protects your customers. Your website still needs HTTPS, updated software and sensible data handling — see our PDPA checklist for websites.
Where to start
If you sell a handful of items to regular customers, a well-designed site with clear PromptPay instructions might be enough for now. Once you're handling daily orders, bookings or deposits, a gateway pays for itself in saved staff time and fewer lost sales. For budget ranges, read how much an e-commerce website costs in Thailand, and if you'd like help connecting payments to your site, get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I accept PromptPay on my website automatically?
Yes. Payment gateways can generate a unique PromptPay QR for every order and confirm the payment automatically, so the order is marked as paid without checking bank slips.
Do I need a registered company to use a payment gateway in Thailand?
Requirements differ by provider. Some accept individuals or sole traders, others require a registered company. Ask for the document list before you build your checkout.
Is it safe to take credit card payments on my website?
Yes, if card details are handled by a licensed gateway through its secure payment page or fields. Your website should never store card numbers itself.
Should I still offer cash on delivery?
For many Thai e-commerce shops, COD still increases conversion, especially for first-time customers. It adds the risk of refused deliveries, so many shops offer it with limits or for trusted areas only.