Shell Company of Thailand is furthering the government's national e-payment strategy by joining hands with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) to provide cashless payment services at its petrol stations, convenience stores and coffee shops.
The QR code payment system was made available yesterday at the Shell Lert Trakarn station, opposite SCB's head office on Ratchayothin Road.
Ornuthai Na Chiangmai, Shell's executive director of retail business, said digital payment is not only more convenient for consumers but also supports the government's move toward a cashless society as part of the Thailand 4.0 initiative.
This is the third country where Shell is offering this payment service, following Britain and the Netherlands.
The Lert Trakarn branch is the pilot project, allowing motorists to pay for fuel through QR codes at the "SCB Easy Cashier" machine, an all-in-one electronic data capture (EDC) device for debit cards, credit cards, QR codes, or other future payment methods as well as contactless payment.
Motorists can use the QR code service through the mobile banking applications of any bank. Motorists will be able to pay for fuel by QR code in a Drive-in Pay station, the designated "safe-zone" area for the use of mobile phones, in compliance with regulations.
The company will test the market response before extending the QR code payment system to all of its non-oil units including Shell Helix oil change stations, Shell Select convenience stores and Deli Cafes across the country by the middle of this year.
There are 520 Shell petrol stations across the country, 320 Shell Helix oil change stations, 74 Select convenience stores and 55 Deli Cafes.
Adopting QR code payments will also enhance the operational efficiency of Shell stations by improving cash and account management and increasing safety for staff.
Ms Ornuthai said offering QR Code payment will reduce the proportion of cash transactions at its petrol station to 60%, compared with 80%.
Apart from the QR code payment, the company is also committed to resuming its investment in retail business this year.
Shell stopped opening new Select convenience stores last year, instead putting more focus on renovating its stores.
"We are ready to resume our investment in Select convenience stores this year,'' Ms Ornuthai said.
Apiporn Charoenanusorn, SCB's senior executive vice-president and head of operations, retail products and retail payment, said in response to the government's national e-payment plan, SCB will promote a cashless society in Thailand by developing smartphone payment systems featuring QR codes to increase convenience, speed and security.
"The partnership with a market leader like Shell is another historic milestone for the energy industry in the Thailand 4.0 era, allowing consumers their first full-scale cashless station experience," said Mrs Apiporn.
The company expects the convenience afforded to consumers will lead to more than 1,000,000 QR code registrations within the first year of operations.
In addition to convenience, Shell QR code aims to ensure transactions are handled with the highest level of security as the company continues to introduce innovative financial services to address customer needs, in line with the goal to fully provide for digital lifestyles, he said.
Thana Thienachariya, SCB's chief marketing officer, said in addition to Shell and The Mall Group, which are already using the SCB QR code system, there is a long waiting list of companies from several business sectors who want to adopt QR payment, including 12 food restaurant chains, four private hospital groups, giant consumer products manufacturers such as Unilever and Osotspa and shopping markets like Platinum and Chatuchak.