QR code payment for LINE Pay Can be used normally overseas

There is also an advertisement for "Rabbit LINE Pay" on the large display in front of Isetan in Bangkok.Photographed by the author

Thailand has the second largest number of LINE users after Japan. Mobile payment "LINE Pay" partnered with local company Rabbit in 2016, and "Rabbit LINE Pay" is used. In Japan, LINE Pay has launched various measures under the banner of "payment revolution", but I have tried it in Bangkok to see what the situation is in Thailand.

■ Payment is OK in Thailand with a Japanese LINE account

The number of LINE active users in Thailand is 43 million. The LINE character is well known locally, and there was an official shop in Bangkok.

Official shop "LINE Village Bangkok" in Siam Square One

Rabbit LINE Pay is a service linked with the transportation IC card "Rabbit" used in the elevated railway BTS (Bangtan Skytrain). Unfortunately, I can't get on the train, but it supports QR code payment at McDonald's and food courts, and the number of users has exceeded 4 million.

In addition to NFC for IC cards, Rabbit's payment terminal is equipped with an optical reader at the top and supports QR code payment. However, if you bring the iPhone too close, it will react to NFC and switch to the "Apple Pay" screen. Holding the screen from a distance was the key to prevent malfunctions.

Rabbit payment terminal. It has an optical reader at the top.

What is interesting is that the QR code payment of LINE Pay in Japan can be used as it is in Thailand. This is not a coincidence, and according to LINE, it can be used in Thailand and Taiwan without any problems.

However, QR code payment in Japan is paid from the charged balance, but in Thailand there is a difference that payment is made with the credit card registered in the LINE app.

At the time of payment, a QR code that is valid for 5 minutes will be displayed if you verify your identity with biometrics on your smartphone. In this case, you can use the card with confidence without worrying about skimming overseas.

■ You can create a Thai LINE ID with a local SIM

It is convenient that Japanese LINE ID can be used in Thailand, but there is also "Thai LINE ID".

First, buy a SIM card locally. I was able to create a Thai LINE ID by registering an account with a Thai mobile phone number from the LINE app.

To use Rabbit LINE Pay with a Thai LINE ID, you need to verify your identity with your Thai ID. It is also considered to be used by foreigners like the author, and it is officially compatible with Japanese passports. After registering a Japanese credit card, I can use it safely.

Obtained Thai LINE ID. You can verify your identity with Rabbit LINE Pay with your Japanese passport.

Payment screen by Rabbit LINE Pay. Various coupons are also issued locally.

McDonald's in Thailand seems to support the balance charge of Rabbit LINE Pay by cash. For some reason, my account failed due to an error, but when I checked with LINE, it seems that there is no problem even for foreigners in terms of specifications, so it may be some kind of problem.

In addition to paying with Rabbit LINE Pay, McDonald's also accepts cash charges.

By creating a Thai LINE ID in this way, you can utilize local functions such as balances and coupons. However, the phone number of the prepaid SIM seems to be reused regularly, and there was evidence of that in my SIM. Unless you want to keep the number in the future, it is safer to delete the LINE ID you tried temporarily.

■ It may be mistaken for "QR code = Alipay"

One thing I was concerned about in Bangkok was that when I showed the QR code of Rabbit LINE Pay to the clerk, I was pointed to the "Alipay" reader of Alibaba Group in China several times. I have the impression that there is widespread recognition that "customers who show QR codes on their smartphones will use Alipay most of the time."

Many stores support Alipay and WeChat Pay for Chinese.

Alipay and WeChat Pay are basically for Chinese. When Japanese people try to use it, they come across various restrictions.

On the other hand, LINE Pay is a service originating in Japan, and I am happy that it is considered everywhere so that it is easy for Japanese people to use. I expect it to be a QR code payment in Japan that spreads not only in Japan but also overseas.

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