Phuket City Development Co., Ltd. (PKCD) has launched EMV-based Tap & Go contactless fare payments on the Phuket Smart Bus network, enabling passengers to pay fares using contactless debit and credit cards without cash or tickets. The system has been introduced in partnership with Mastercard as the technology provider and Krungthai Bank Public Company Limited as the payment backend provider, supporting open-loop payments on electric bus services in Phuket.
The EMV contactless system has been deployed on two key routes: the Phuket International Airport–Rawai route, which connects the airport with major tourist destinations along the west coast, and the Phuket Old Town loop, known as the Dragon Line.
PKCD stated that the introduction of contactless payments is aimed at modernising Phuket’s public transport system, improving convenience for residents and international visitors, and reducing fare collection costs for operators. The launch positions Phuket alongside more than 390 cities globally that have adopted contactless payments in public transport, supporting the province’s broader strategy to develop as a smart tourism destination connected to the global digital economy.
