The Transport Ministry will seek Cabinet approval on 26 October for a unified fare scheme covering eight electric rail lines in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with fares capped at 45 baht per trip, a deputy transport minister said on Wednesday.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy transport minister said the proposal would eliminate duplicate entry fees when passengers transfer between lines, with an initial fare capped at 17 baht. The scheme is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027 and would be available to Thai nationals who register through the Paotang application and pay using EMV contactless cards.
The eight lines covered are the Red Line, Airport Rail Link, Blue Line, Purple Line, Yellow Line, Pink Line, Green Line and Gold Line.
Under the proposed system, passengers would initially pay the full fare using an EMV contactless card supporting Visa or Mastercard. The difference between the fare paid and the amount due under the scheme would then be refunded through the Paotang application within three days.
The proposal was discussed at the second meeting of the committee overseeing the unified electric rail fare policy on 21 October, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
The ministry will also seek approval for a first-year budget of 5.85 billion baht, comprising 5.785 billion baht in fare compensation for the eight rail lines and 65 million baht in transfer fees for refunds to passengers.
The funding is expected to come from the 2027 central budget’s emergency and necessary expenditure reserve, as the Joint Ticket Promotion Fund is still preparing the regulations and announcements required for its operation and has not yet received its initial capital allocation.
The fare scheme remains subject to Cabinet approval.
