Phuket Smart Bus has rolled out Tap & Go open-loop EMV contactless payments on two routes, allowing passengers to pay fares using their own contactless credit or debit cards.

The service is operated by Phuket City Development (PKCD), with Mastercard providing the payment technology and Krungthai Bank handling the payment processing.

The system is now live on the route between Phuket International Airport and Rawai, as well as the Phuket Old Town loop known as the Dragon Line. Both routes are served by electric buses.

The airport to Rawai route connects Phuket’s main entry point with popular areas along the west coast, including hotels, beaches and residential neighbourhoods.

The Dragon Line operates within Phuket Old Town, linking cultural attractions, historic streets, Sino-Portuguese architecture and creative districts.

It was first introduced as a pilot service and has since been formalised as a permanent route.

Passengers can tap their cards when boarding, with fares charged automatically.

The system removes the need for cash, tickets or top-ups and allows transit operators to reduce fare collection costs and improve operational efficiency.

“As a leading global tourism destination, Phuket needs transport solutions that are as seamless as the journeys travelers expect.

Mastercard is proud to enable Tap & Go EMV contactless payments on the Phuket Smart Bus, allowing residents and visitors to travel easily, securely, and without cash. This collaboration supports Phuket’s vision to become a smart tourism city connected to the global digital economy.”

said Dheeraj Raina, SVP and Head of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), Southeast Asia, Mastercard.

According to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Trends 2025 report, Phuket ranked as Thailand’s number one culinary destination in 2024 and eighth globally among cities attracting food-loving travellers from the most diverse range of nationalities.

The launch was officiated by Nirat Phongsitthaworn, Governor of Phuket Province, at an event held at PKCD.

With the introduction of Tap & Go, Phuket joins more than 390 cities worldwide that use contactless payments for public transport, including London, New York, Singapore and Sydney.

Featured image: (second-left) Dheeraj Raina, senior vice president and head of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), Southeast Asia, Mastercard; (center) Vytot Upatising, Chief Executive Officer, Phuket City Development; and (second-right) Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, Governor of Phuket Province