Beam x Pet Expo 2026: Introducing Universal Payment Acceptance at One of Thailand’s Largest Events

Beam partnered with NCC to power a faster, smoother payment experience at Pet Expo 2026, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).

Key highlights:
•  800+ merchants joined the event
•  4 high-traffic selling days (30 April - 3 May 2026)
•  Free Bolt+ device lending for merchants
•  Full support for cashless payment acceptance

How Did Bolt+ Help Merchants Increase Sales at the Event?

Bolt+ removed payment friction so that more customers could pay faster.

As one of Thailand’s most beloved events for pet lovers, the exhibition brought together a lively mix of local brands and international merchants, all catering to a crowd that’s enthusiastic and ready to spend.

To help merchants make the most of that energy, Beam offered free on-site lending of Bolt+ devices throughout the four-day event. Vendors could accept all major payment methods with ease, reducing friction at checkout and turning busy foot traffic into completed sales.

For many, this marked the first time they were able to accept credit cards, removing one of the most common barriers numerous businesses face when it comes to payment acceptance.

What Merchants Who Used Bolt+ Were Able to Do? 

Why Did Beam Offer Free Bolt+?

This wasn’t just a campaign, but it was a market strategy.

Beam's decision to lend Bolt+ devices at the Pet Expo wasn't incidental, but it was strategic. Thailand's pet industry has grown into a market worth over 100 billion baht, driven by a generation of pet owners who treat their animals as one of their family members and spend accordingly.

Events like the Pet Expo concentrate that spending into a single weekend, creating enormous commercial opportunities for the merchants who serve this community.

However, opportunity only converts to revenue when the payment infrastructure keeps up. Beam's core mission is to make “World’s simplest way to checkout” a reality. 

We deeply understand how difficult it’s been for merchants to accept every payment method. Consequently, Bolt+ comes into action to lower the barrier and encourage merchants to accept any payment methods possible.

Lending Bolt+ at the expo is a direct expression of that mission, putting the right device in every merchant's hands before the doors open, not after the problem appears.

Beam will continue to support merchants with real tools that make cashless payments work in everyday selling. This is part of a bigger goal: driving Thailand toward a cashless future, where 90% of transactions are cashless by 2030.

See the benefits and how Cashless Club supports your journey:

https://cashlessclub.com/en/jointheclub 

Why Is Bolt+ Essential in High-Traffic Events?

At events like Pet Expo, purchase intent is already high. The real risk is losing sales at checkout.

It comes as no surprise that pet owners arrive at Pet Expo ready to spend, stocking up on food, treats, and accessories for their beloved companions. For merchants, this translates into high purchase intent and high footfall, making a smooth payment process not just a convenience but a necessity.

Bolt+ rose to the occasion. By keeping transactions fast and frictionless during peak crowd hours, it empowered merchants to maximize sales within a limited timeframe without losing customers to long queues or payment friction.

Common problems merchants face:

• Customers don’t carry cash

• Limited payment options

• Long queues → customer drop-off

• Manual processes slowing staff

What Bolt+ solved:

• One device covers all payment methods

• No switching between systems

• No lost sales due to payment limitations
  

Bolt+ allowed us to accept any payment method during an incredibly busy period, and customers were impressed by both its sleek design and the range of payment options it supports, - Hugguh

NTP, a dog accessories and gadget store, also adopted Bolt+ during the event, giving their customers more payment flexibility and a noticeably smoother checkout experience.

Within just a few days of use, Bolt+ had become a go-to device for merchants across the floor, a clear sign that faster, cashless payments are no longer the future. They're the new standard.

Is the Pet Industry in Thailand Ready for Cashless Payments?

Yes, and already shifting.

What Pet Expo revealed:

• Customers expect multiple payment options

• Cash-only is no longer viable

• Flexibility is now a baseline expectation

Pet Expo Thailand isn't just a consumer event, but it's a commercial arena where brands, distributors, and independent retailers transact at scale across four high-intensity days. Beam's presence here wasn't coincidental.

The pet industry in Thailand is one of the fastest-growing retail verticals, and merchants operating within it are increasingly demanding payment infrastructure that keeps up with that pace.

What Pet Expo revealed is a broader shift in merchant expectations; versatility is no longer a nice-to-have. Buyers arrive with different payment preferences in mind, QR PromptPay, credit cards, E-wallets, installment plans, and merchants who can't meet them could potentially lose the sales. Bolt+ was built precisely for this reality. Its reception at the Pet Expo signals that event-based commerce in Thailand is ready for a payment experience that's as dynamic as the crowd walking through the front door.

What Were the Measurable Results from Pet Expo 2026?

Performance metrics:

• 100+ hours saved (no manual slip checking)

• <12 seconds checkout time

• Zero downtime throughout the event

• 100+ devices deployed

• Devices live within 10 minutes of onboarding

What this means:

• More completed transactions

• Faster service

• No operational bottlenecks

Across four days at Pet Expo 2026, Bolt+ delivered impact that was not just visible, but measurable. Merchants saved a combined 100 hours that would have been spent manually checking slip confirmations, freeing up time to serve customers.

Average checkout time dropped to under 12 seconds per transaction, keeping queues moving even during peak hours. Throughout the entire event, Bolt+ also recorded zero downtime, no dropped connections, and no lost sales due to device issues.

In total, over 100 Bolt+ devices were deployed and fully operational from Day 1, with each unit going live within 10 minutes of onboarding, no lengthy setup or technical delays. Merchants didn’t just receive a device, but a complete payment infrastructure, ready before the doors opened.

Together, these numbers reflect more than efficiency. They represent transactions that didn’t fail, queues that didn’t form, and revenue that was captured during one of Thailand’s most commercially intensive weekends.

What’s Next for Beam after Pet Expo 2026?

Pet Expo Thailand 2026 was one milestone in a much longer journey. Beam will continue showing up at major events across Thailand, bringing Bolt+ to merchants who deserve a payment experience that works as hard as they do. The borrow model introduced at Pet Expo is a glimpse of how Beam envisions frictionless commerce, no barriers to entry, no complicated setup, just a device that's ready when business is.

For merchants who missed the booth, the conversation doesn't end here. Bolt+ is available beyond the event floor, and the team is ready to help businesses of any size make the switch

 As Thailand's event and retail landscape continues to evolve, Beam is committed to being the payment partner that grows alongside it.

The future of event commerce is fast, flexible, and fully connected, and Beam is here to build it.

FAQ: Beam Bolt+ at Pet Expo Thailand 2026 

How is Bolt+ different from a standard EDC card reader?

Bolt+ accepts cards, QR PromptPay, installments, and e-wallets in one device. It also connects to your existing POS system via API — no new hardware or reinstallation needed.

Do I need a Beam account to use Bolt+?

Yes. Register a Beam account through VeriFast to activate your Bolt+ terminal and start accepting payments immediately.

How many merchants used Bolt+ at Pet Expo 2026? 

Over 100 Bolt+ devices were deployed across 800+ merchant booths at Pet Expo 2026, held at QSNCC from 30 April to 3 May 2026.

Was there a fee to borrow Bolt+ at the event? 

No. Beam offered free on-site lending of Bolt+ devices to all merchants at Pet Expo 2026 as part of its mission to lower payment acceptance barriers.

How long does it take to set up Bolt+? 

Each Bolt+ unit was onboarded and fully operational in under 10 minutes at Pet Expo 2026.

Is manual end-of-day settlement required on Bolt+?

No. Bolt+ settles automatically at the end of each day. Unlike traditional EDC, merchants never need to trigger settlement manually on the device.

How can merchants get Bolt+ outside of events? 

Bolt+ is available beyond the event floor. Merchants can order Bolt+ directly from the Online Store.

Is Bolt+ compatible with my existing POS system?

Yes, if your POS supports API integration. Bolt+ connects via standard API, so your current setup stays intact.