Bangkok--23 Jan--Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank launched BBL BeWallet, becoming the first bank in Thailand to provide QR code cross border payment services via a mobile application. Payments can be made using Be1st Smart TPN UnionPay debit cards and can be accepted by 16 million merchants in the worldwide UnionPay network including more than 70,000 merchants in ASEAN.
Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President, Manager Credit Card Division, Shoke Na Ranong said the bank is proud to play its part in moving Thailand towards a cashless society. Bangkok Bank will be the first bank in Thailand to launch a payment service in which customers can scan QR codes using a mobile application. The transactions can be made using Be1st Smart TPN UnionPay debit cards.
The initiative is a collaboration between Bangkok Bank, Thai Payment Network and UnionPay to develop a payment service using a QR code scan. Customers simply need to download the BBL BeWallet application and link it with their Be1st Smart TPN UnionPay debit card. To make a payment for products or services, the customer simply needs to scan the QR code of merchants in the UnionPay network, comprising more than 16 million merchants worldwide and 70,000 merchants in ASEAN. The network covers China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region. The UnionPay network will continue to collaborate with new partners including merchants and large payment networks.
Mr Shoke added that BBL BeWallet, which provides QR code payment services for products and services via mobile application, will resonate well with people in the younger generation who prefer digital payments to cash as they are convenient, quick, modern and safe. The BBL BeWallet is protected by a PIN and customers can use their mobile phone to make secure payments and immediately view their transactions. The service responds to the Thai government, Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand's National e-Payment strategy that aims to move Thailand towards a cashless society.
'To continue the development of the service, around the middle of February the BBL BeWallet application will be upgraded so that users can generate their own QR code on their mobile phone for a merchant to accept payments for products or services, a method which is gaining popularity among large merchants.' Mr Shoke added.