Cambodia’s central bank and Mastercard discuss the next stage of Bakong Tourists

The talks focused on wider use and payment security

NBC Governor Chea Serey met a senior Mastercard delegation led by Donald Ong, Division President for East Southeast Asia, at the central bank’s Wat Phnom Building on 22 September.

The discussion covered the continued development of Cambodia’s payment system, including efforts to make Bakong Tourists more useful to international visitors. The two sides also discussed fraud monitoring, prevention mechanisms and ways to reduce emerging risks as digital payment activity grows.

The official account did not announce a new launch date, revised fees, new transaction limits or a broader list of eligible foreign cards. For users, that distinction matters: a policy or product discussion is not the same thing as a released feature.

For practical context, see Cambodia economy and finance. This development also connects with Cambodia and Rwanda announce cross-border payment cooperation.

Mastercard support was already part of the service

Bakong Tourists already had a Mastercard connection before this September meeting. The National Bank of Cambodia formally launched the app with the international card scheme Mastercard on 11 November 2024, allowing international visitors to link eligible Mastercard cards issued abroad and use the service for KHQR payments.

That earlier launch changes how the latest meeting should be read. The September talks were about building on an existing arrangement, not introducing Mastercard access for the first time. They also do not establish that every Mastercard issued overseas will work in every situation.

What users should watch for next

For foreigners spending extended periods in Cambodia, further improvements to Bakong Tourists could reduce friction around everyday QR payments. The useful details, however, will be in any subsequent product notice: card eligibility, identity checks, transaction limits, fees and the exact operations supported.

Until those details are published, the current app rules and the terms set by the card-issuing bank remain the relevant reference points. The September meeting does not by itself guarantee that a particular foreign card or transaction will be accepted.