BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved a budget of 5.807 billion baht to subsidize a common fare scheme covering all electric train lines in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with passengers paying no more than 45 baht per journey.
The scheme will run from January 1 to December 31, 2027, offering fares based on the existing contract-based starting rate of no more than 17 baht and a maximum fare of 45 baht. Passengers will not be charged duplicate entry fees when transferring between lines. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said the approved budget estimate comprises 5.785 billion baht in fare subsidies and 22 million baht to cover transaction fees for reimbursing passengers.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning will seek funding from the 2027 central budget reserve for emergencies or necessities and oversee subsidy payments based on actual costs.
Relevant agencies, including the Department of Rail Transport, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, State Railway of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Krungthai Bank, have been instructed to accelerate preparations for implementation.
The MRTA and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will also collect passenger numbers and actual revenue data and assess additional demand generated by the scheme after six months. The findings will support negotiations with train operators over a fairer revenue-sharing arrangement and be reported to the Cabinet.
