Paul Johnson Bangkok, August 28, 2025 — Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has thrown his weight behind an ambitious proposal to transform the country into a regional hub for digital assets, signaling growing momentum for crypto adoption in Southeast Asia.
The former leader met with a high-profile delegation of global crypto investors and digital asset firms in Bangkok on Tuesday to discuss a plan that could reshape Thailand’s financial future.
Key Points from the Meeting
Crypto Heavyweights in Attendance:
Among the participants were Japan’s Metaplanet (led by Simon Gerovich), UTXO Management (led by David Bailey, crypto advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump), and Nakamoto Holdings, which recently merged with health-tech player KindlyMD.
Other attendees included Sora Ventures, AsiaStrategy, Moon Inc., Mythos Group, and Bangkok-based Kliff Capital.
Vision for a Bitcoin & Digital Asset Hub:
Kip Tiaviwat, founder of Kliff Capital, hailed the meeting as the “first milestone” toward making Thailand ASEAN’s Bitcoin DAT hub, stressing the need for global-local collaboration.
Strategic Crypto Reserve Proposal:
Thaksin also endorsed the creation of a sovereign digital asset reserve, aimed at boosting resilience in Thailand’s financial system amid economic challenges like household debt, weak GDP growth, and a slowing tourism sector (World Bank, July 2025).
Local Advantage:
Tiaviwat noted that Thai citizens’ familiarity with Bitcoin and crypto could give the country a unique edge compared to regional peers.
Why This Matters
Thailand is Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, but its recovery has been uneven following the pandemic and global economic headwinds. By positioning itself as a crypto innovation hub, Thailand could attract foreign capital, spur fintech innovation, and reduce reliance on traditional industries such as tourism.
Thaksin’s involvement also carries weight. Having built his fortune through Shin Corporation (now Intouch Holdings), a telecom and technology powerhouse, he brings both credibility and influence. His appointment last December as an informal ASEAN advisor by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim adds a regional dimension to Thailand’s crypto ambitions.
The Road Ahead
Whether Thailand can turn this bold vision into reality will depend on how quickly the government can develop a regulatory framework that balances innovation with safeguards. But with heavyweight investors and a former prime minister on board, the crypto momentum in Bangkok is undeniably building.
As Tiaviwat summed it up:
“Collaboration between global industry leaders and a key national figure who shares and drives the vision is the foundation of Thailand’s rise as a digital asset powerhouse.”
