From 1 June 2026, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) will discontinue the use of MRT and MRT Plus stored-value cards on the MRT Blue and Purple lines, accepting only EMV contactless cards for entry. Passengers will no longer be able to top up MRT and MRT Plus cards from 1 April 2026, either online or at stations. From 1 January 2027, single-journey tokens will also be withdrawn and replaced by QR code ticketing.
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The change affects the MRT Blue Line, operating between Bang Sue–Hua Lamphong–Lak Song, and the MRT Purple Line, running from Tao Poon to Bang Yai. Around 100,000 MRT and MRT Plus cards are currently in circulation. Passengers are encouraged to use up any remaining balance before switching to EMV cards, with refunds available in cash for unused funds.
Cardholders can exchange their existing cards for a Mangmoom EMV card free of charge at ticket offices at all stations between 1 March and 31 December 2026. The fee waiver applies to one EMV Contactless card per person. Authorities have prepared 100,000 Mangmoom EMV cards for exchange, divided by passenger type and line.
For the Blue Line, 56,000 Adult cards, 8,000 Senior cards and 17,000 Student cards have been allocated. For the Purple Line, 14,000 Adult cards, 2,000 Senior cards and 3,000 Student cards are available. The Blue Line currently carries 500,000–600,000 passengers daily, while the Purple Line records 70,000–80,000 passengers per day.
Passengers using Mangmoom EMV cards will continue to receive existing concessions. Thai nationals aged over 60 qualify for a 50% discount with a Senior card. Children not exceeding 120cm in height and aged no more than 14 travel free, while those over 120cm and aged up to 23 receive a 10% discount with a Student card.
At present, fare payment options include single-use tokens, stored-value cards, EMV contactless credit cards from all banks, and debit cards from Krungthai Bank, UOB, Bank of Ayudhya, Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank. Mangmoom EMV cards can be used across all MRTA-supervised lines, including the Blue, Purple, Yellow and Pink lines, and at retailers displaying the Contactless symbol.
Daily News reported the transition to 100% EMV payment is intended to support future integrated fare policies and encourage wider adoption of contactless travel. The Mangmoom EMV card also connects to the “Paotang” application, enabling users to top up funds, check usage history and report lost cards.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
Key Takeaways
• MRT and MRT Plus cards will no longer be accepted from 1 June 2026 on the Blue and Purple lines.
• Top-ups end on 1 April 2026, with free exchanges to Mangmoom EMV cards available until 31 December 2026.
• Single-journey tokens will be withdrawn from 1 January 2027 and replaced by QR code ticketing.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 27 Feb 2026
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