We thank Mr Colin Loh for his letter (PayNow system must work overseas too; Forum Online, June 23).

While PayNow is designed to be a domestic e-payment system for users with a Singapore bank account, the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) is working to extend the service overseas.

For example, ABS is exploring the option for PayNow users to send money to recipients in Thailand using our Thai counterpart's e-payment service, PromptPay, and vice versa.

Indeed, there are some segments of society that will find cash useful. The aim is not to turn Singapore into a cashless society, but one less dependent on cash and cheques.

As Mr Loh pointed out, tourists will still be able to transact using cash as well as many established alternative payment methods such as international credit and debit cards, and mobile cross-border electronic payments.

For the less technologically savvy, PayNow can also be set up without the need for Internet or mobile banking.

One can simply link one's mobile phone number or NRIC number by SMS, or by visiting a bank branch for assistance.

Ong-Ang Ai Boon (Mrs)

Director

The Association of Banks in Singapore