Triple pricing for BTS/MRT from September

[Lorry]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3000822/flat-train-fare-set-to-start-from-sept-30

 

20 Baht for Thais. 

My average is quite a bit more than 40 (which would be the usual double pricing), more like 60.

One of my most disgusting experiences with Thailand and it's people, because it's so everyday and ubiquitous. Hundreds of people entering for 20 B, and I will be the one paying 50, 60, 80, whatever. 

 

I never cared much for the national parks (I don't care for national parks in any country), and living in a non-touristy neighbourhood of Bangkok, foreigners don't usually pay more than Thais. 

[KhunLA]

17 hours ago, Lorry said:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3000822/flat-train-fare-set-to-start-from-sept-30

 

20 Baht for Thais. 

My average is quite a bit more than 40 (which would be the usual double pricing), more like 60.

One of my most disgusting experiences with Thailand and it's people, because it's so everyday and ubiquitous. Hundreds of people entering for 20 B, and I will be the one paying 50, 60, 80, whatever. 

 

I never cared much for the national parks (I don't care for national parks in any country), and living in a non-touristy neighbourhood of Bangkok, foreigners don't usually pay more than Thais. 

So this thread is just total BS.  As nothing in the news blip states 'triple' fare. 

 

You obviously never use the rail lines, or you'd know there is no 80 baht fare.  Until recently, with the expanded lines, the highest fare was 45 baht.  Seniors like myself, (60+) got half fare on MRT line, which I think has been discontinued for non Thais.

 

Highest on BTS is 62, MRT is 71, I think.  Unlimited day pass for all is still 150 baht.  Use to get that, no matter where I was going, then give it to a Thai person, at the end of my journey day.

 

I don't use them myself any more, as simply too crowded.  Gave my BTS card to daughter, still have MRT card, and will give that to her next time I see her.  

 

A 20 baht fare will really make them too crowded, and a good thing, as some may benefit, instead of being on the roads.

[Lorry]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You obviously never use the rail lines

I use BTS and MRT in Bangkok. Regularly.

Judging from the fares you quote, maybe these are the rail lines in your fishing village in Prachuap?

 

Interesting observation, though, that the BTS will be even more crowded.

 

[Mike_Hunt]

On 4/12/2025 at 12:14 PM, Lorry said:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3000822/flat-train-fare-set-to-start-from-sept-30

 

20 Baht for Thais. 

My average is quite a bit more than 40 (which would be the usual double pricing), more like 60.

One of my most disgusting experiences with Thailand and it's people, because it's so everyday and ubiquitous. Hundreds of people entering for 20 B, and I will be the one paying 50, 60, 80, whatever. 

 

I never cared much for the national parks (I don't care for national parks in any country), and living in a non-touristy neighbourhood of Bangkok, foreigners don't usually pay more than Thais. 

You should start a Gofundme.

[Celsius]

The real problem is that BTS will be more packed now. Just think free rides during pollution emergency a few months back. The pleasant ride that once was is over.

[ColeBOzbourne]

"Triple pricing for BTS/MRT from September"

 

The title of your OP is sensational and misleading. You make it sound like, starting in September, they will triple the prices for all foreigners, when in reality the prices for foreigners remain the same as they've always been.

[impulse]

15 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Seniors like myself, (60+) got half fare on MRT line, which I think has been discontinued for non Thais.

 

I was still grandfathered in last month using my old Elder Card on the MRT.  I was curious so I checked.  Half fare. But they apparently won't offer it to foreigners who buy new cards. 

 

What I don't know is whether foreigners can buy Elder Cards even if they just qualify us to sit in Elder seats.  Just to be clear, I always offer up my seat to old farts and kids.  But sometimes I'll sit in an empty Elder seat just to open up a normal seat for someone else who's reluctant to sit in an Elder seat.

 

BTW, I didn't ask for an Elder Card.  I didn't even know they were a thing.  That's just what they gave me when they saw the DOB on my passport.  It's nice, though...

[KhunLA]

6 hours ago, Celsius said:

The real problem is that BTS will be more packed now. Just think free rides during pollution emergency a few months back. The pleasant ride that once was is over.

I used to hop on every new line, or extension or,  for just sightseeing.  So crowded now, I don't using at all.

 

@impulse I'll need to have my MRT card reauthorized again,  as haven't used in a while.  Also grandfathered in.  Though would prefer the cancel it and give me a refund.  I'll probably give it to my daughter, and she'll have to use, incognito, till it's empty.

[impulse]

6 hours ago, Celsius said:

The real problem is that BTS will be more packed now. Just think free rides during pollution emergency a few months back. The pleasant ride that once was is over.

 

I don't disagree it will be more crowded than the status quo, but there's a difference between free rides and 20 baht rides.  (And it's not just 20 baht)   People were probably riding on a lark when it was free, even if they didn't need to go anywhere.

[impulse]

13 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

@impulse I'll need to have my MRT card reauthorized again,  as haven't used in a while.  Also grandfathered in.  Though would prefer the cancel it and give me a refund.  I'll probably give it to my daughter, and she'll have to use, incognito, till it's empty.

 

A few months ago, I posited a question pondering the black market value of an MRT Elder card.  Seems like they could be worth something...

 

FYI, I've topped mine up a few times since they quit offering the discount to foreigners and that didn't trigger any changes.

 

[KhunLA]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

A few months ago, I posited a question pondering the black market value of an MRT Elder card.  Seems like they could be worth something...

 

Except last time I added money to it, I think they asked me for my passport, ID.  May be because my last name (legal) is a Thai name, as I changed it to the wife's when I got married.  Probably thought I was using someone else's already.

[impulse]

Just now, KhunLA said:

Except last time I added money to it, I think they asked me for my passport, ID.  May be because my last name (legal) is a Thai name, as I changed it to the wife's when I got married.  Probably thought I was using someone else's already.

 

They asked for my passport when I topped up some cards (MRT and BTS) after I'd been MIA as a Covid refugee for about 2+ years.  I've got 3 or 4 Rabbit Cards and 3 or 4 MRT cards because I bought them when I forgot mine at home or at the hotel.  (Only one Elder Card.  I suspect they'd prevent someone from buying a bunch of them to sell on the black market, but who knows?)

 

[Crossy]

39 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I'll probably give it to my daughter, and she'll have to use, incognito, till it's empty.

 

Be very careful!

 

The fine for using an Elder Card when not entitled is up to 30 times the maximum normal fare!

 

Security do watch for invalid users and the automatic gates have a "concession lamp" which lights different colours if a concession card is in use.

 

[sandyf]

45 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I was still grandfathered in last month using my old Elder Card on the MRT.  I was curious so I checked.  Half fare. But they apparently won't offer it to foreigners who buy new cards. 

I don't go to BKK very often maybe a couple of times a year, have never had a problem getting the senior fare even when alone. 

We went to VFS a couple of weeks ago for wife's visa and they wouldn't give the senior fare for me even with her buying the tickets.

It's no big deal for me and people should bear in mind other countries are beginning to look at how much public money is being given to foreign nationals.

[Crossy]

One wonders how this new system will affect the current flat 20Baht fare (for all) that's currently implemented on the Purple and Red Lines.

 

[Yagoda]

I cant afford a dollar for the train, Ill go to Cambodia where I can get a tuk tuk for .75 cents

[PJ71]

Off topic but were all the MRT routes inspected post earthquake?

[ColeBOzbourne]

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

Off topic but were all the MRT routes inspected post earthquake?

Yes. I inspected them as we travelled along, and everything looked okay to me. 

[PJ71]

1 minute ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

Yes. I inspected them as we travelled along, and everything looked okay to me. 

Excellent, good job.

 

Hopefully it doesn't collapse when you're travelling along.

[KhaoHom]

On 4/14/2025 at 8:56 AM, impulse said:

 

I was still grandfathered in last month using my old Elder Card on the MRT.  I was curious so I checked.  Half fare. But they apparently won't offer it to foreigners who buy new cards. 

 

What I don't know is whether foreigners can buy Elder Cards even if they just qualify us to sit in Elder seats.  Just to be clear, I always offer up my seat to old farts and kids.  But sometimes I'll sit in an empty Elder seat just to open up a normal seat for someone else who's reluctant to sit in an Elder seat.

 

BTW, I didn't ask for an Elder Card.  I didn't even know they were a thing.  That's just what they gave me when they saw the DOB on my passport.  It's nice, though...

They were available on MRT. No longer. Not available BTS ever

[teatree]

How are they going to police this?  Is a sound going to go off every time a non Thai goes through the gate to show that they have paid the full fare?

[Lorry]

3 hours ago, teatree said:

How are they going to police this?  Is a sound going to go off every time a non Thai goes through the gate to show that they have paid the full fare?

No, they are going to install guillotines that automatically decapitate foreigners.

Thais are too short, so they just slip through under the knives. 

 

Seriously, you will need an updated rabbit card, and that's already tied to your Thai ID resp. to your passport.  

 

[KhunLA]

4 hours ago, teatree said:

How are they going to police this?  Is a sound going to go off every time a non Thai goes through the gate to show that they have paid the full fare?

 

On 4/14/2025 at 9:46 AM, Crossy said:

Security do watch for invalid users and the automatic gates have a "concession lamp" which lights different colours if a concession card is in use.

 

 

[Lorry]

On 6/1/2025 at 12:56 PM, Lorry said:

No, they are going to install guillotines that automatically decapitate foreigners.

A trial version has been installed at our local zebra crossing.

No knives yet, so foreigners just bump their heads against the metal installation.  Then they stand there, dazed, holding their head, in obvious discomfort.

I guess the knives are budgeted for next year.

 

BTW the flat fare of 20 B has been confirmed today,  again, stating (bold in the original) FOR THAIS ONLY.

My latest ride on the BTS was 107 B.

One of the most disgusting experiences in Thailand. I really wish my country would do the same to Thais.