Bangkok to Roll Out 20-Baht Flat Fare for All Trains by September
Bangkok commuters will soon enjoy a unified 20-baht flat fare across all electric train lines, with full implementation expected by September 30, according to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
The initiative, aimed at making daily travel more affordable, will cover all light-rail commuter lines in the capital, regardless of operator or route. Currently, the 20-baht fare is available only on the Red and Purple lines, while fares on other systems range from 15 to 62 baht.
Minister Suriya said the Ministry of Transport is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and other agencies to finalise legal and regulatory adjustments necessary to support the fixed-fare scheme. Key amendments include changes to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Act and the Common Ticketing System Management Act.
The government plans to establish a joint ticketing fund to subsidise train operators for any revenue shortfalls caused by the flat fare. The fund will draw from the MRTA’s 16 billion baht in accumulated profits, with an estimated 8 billion baht in annual subsidies, and will be supplemented by the central budget.
To qualify for the discounted fare, passengers must be Thai citizens and register using their 13-digit national ID number through the government’s Tang Rat mobile application. Registration is expected to begin in August, and users will be required to link their existing contactless or transit cards to the app.
Foreigners and expats without Thai national ID numbers will not be eligible for the flat fare and must continue to pay standard rates for their trips.
The Tang Rat app will also function as a clearinghouse to manage revenue distribution among the various train lines.
Minister Suriya expressed confidence that the flat-fare policy would significantly ease the financial burden of daily travel and enhance accessibility across the city’s transit network.
