BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangkok’s rail network is preparing for a new integrated fare policy designed to reduce travel costs and make transfers between different metro lines easier, with the maximum fare set at 45 baht per trip from January 1, 2027. The Department of Rail Transport held the first meeting of its 2026 committee overseeing the government’s policy for integrated electric railway fares. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, together with Transport Permanent Secretary Chayatan Phromsorn and Department of Rail Transport Director-General Pichet Kunathammarak.
Under the policy, passengers travelling between different electric rail lines within Bangkok and the surrounding metropolitan area will not be charged duplicate entry fares when transferring between systems. The maximum fare under the existing contractual arrangements will be capped at 45 baht per trip. Officials are preparing the necessary ticketing systems, equipment and business arrangements ahead of the launch. EMV Contactless will be the main payment method, covering credit cards, debit cards and Mangmoom cards. Operators are also being asked to install and upgrade equipment to support the integrated fare system. The policy is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027.
Initially, passengers will be charged according to the actual value of their journey. If the calculated fare exceeds 45 baht, the government will refund the difference under the scheme’s rules.
Refunds will be made through the Pao Tang application or the payment card used for the journey, within three working days. The government says the measure is intended to reduce the cost of daily travel, make connections between rail systems more convenient and encourage greater use of public transport. (TNA)
