Photo courtesy of Pelago

 

Starting September 30, Bangkok's commuters can enjoy a 20-baht flat fare on all eight electric train lines, including those in surrounding areas. This initiative aims to make public transport more accessible and ease city congestion.

 

However, there's a requirement—passengers must register through the Tang Rat mobile app in August to benefit. This registration ensures eligibility and links to an EMV contactless or Rabbit Card for train access.

 

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the project is on track. "The 20-baht fare cap is a public benefit, and we are ensuring everything is ready for a smooth launch," he stated.

 

The initiative seeks to reduce travel costs and encourage more residents to use public transportation, which could help reduce pollution and traffic jams.

 

To participate, commuters must download the Tang Rat app, available for iOS and Android, and complete the registration process to verify their Thai nationality. Those who miss the August registration deadline can still travel but will pay standard fares.

 

Initially, passengers might need two cards: the EMV card for the Red Line, Airport Rail Link, and others, and the Rabbit Card for the Green, Gold, and Yellow lines. However, improvements are on the horizon. By late 2026, the system will allow QR code payments via the app for all lines, simplifying the process further.

 

This fare cap could transform daily commutes for many, but only for those who register. Be ready in August to download the Tang Rat app and secure your 20-baht travel fare.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-27

 

 

Two-tier pricing. Fantastic....

3 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

Two-tier pricing. Fantastic....

 

Indeed, less than two months since Ministry of Tourism and Sports vowed to eliminate dual pricing.
 

 

TEFLERS will pay full price to ride in overcrowded trains. 

 

Fantastic!

So, if a Thai registers, can a foreigner then use their card , or will there be facial regonition/discrimination ?😁

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Starting September 30, Bangkok's commuters can enjoy a 20-baht flat fare on all eight electric train lines, including those in surrounding areas. This initiative aims to make public transport more accessible and ease city congestion.

And when the offer ends passengers will go back to alternative cheap travel.

No attention at all being paid to CAPACITY !  The Sukhumvit and Silom lines will be severely overcrowded during rush hours. Also nothing has been said about where they found the money to fund this program. 

1 hour ago, Gaccha said:

Two-tier pricing. Fantastic....

Disgusting.  And  will make the trains even more crowded, so I will not only pay relatively more, but also get even less quality.

1 hour ago, Searat7 said:

No attention at all being paid to CAPACITY !

Isn't there a plan to increase capacity to 6 carriages?

1 hour ago, mancub said:

can a foreigner then use their card , or will there be facial regonition/discrimination

Don't think there will be facial recognition/discrimination, but a Thai would need to lend their only card (they can only have one with 20THB flat rate) and would be breaking the T&C if doing so, so a risk for them if caught by route pattern monitoring or such like.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

And when the offer ends passengers will go back to alternative cheap travel.

 

I thought it is forever 

59 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

I thought it is forever 

And if it doesn't turn a profit ?

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

And if it doesn't turn a profit ?

 

Increase the fares for farang.

1 hour ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Isn't there a plan to increase capacity to 6 carriages?

     There's always a plan, but few ever get completed.  Plans for high-speed rail, plans for casinos, plans for road safety, plans for pollution control, plans for better schools, etc., etc.  Hopefully not a single new rider signs up for this ridership drive as the trains are horribly overcrowded as is.   But, yes, where are the 6 carriage trains already???

6 hours ago, newnative said:

There's always a plan, but few ever get completed. 

 

Never have truer words been spoken about life in Thailand....

10 hours ago, Searat7 said:

No attention at all being paid to CAPACITY !  The Sukhumvit and Silom lines will be severely overcrowded during rush hours. Also nothing has been said about where they found the money to fund this program. 

 

First we all got qa taste of the 2o baht when the governemnt had free BTS.  It was a disaster. For me the only saving grace is I am OLD LOL so I get the old sick monk seat.

 

As to funding they think that the people that do not get registered and tourists will put enough money it the system to fund it.  They are looking at the newe lines and saying how great it is.  What they forget is new lines costs minimal funding NOW Give it a couple of years when parts get old and tains need to be repaired adn replaced.

 

No matter what people think, BTS does not raise prices just because they want to. They have to pay the people who work there, and they have to pay for repairs.    Also don't forget the money that is owed for the extensins and keeping the price low for so long,

 

Give it 5 years and trains and system will look like the BMA buses.

The defence for us oldies is to buy a Senior Rabbit purple card for BTS. Half-price in non-rush hours. Do I need to say don't buy at a tourist station? Helps if your have a pink card. 

8 hours ago, newnative said:

     There's always a plan, but few ever get completed.  Plans for high-speed rail, plans for casinos, plans for road safety, plans for pollution control, plans for better schools, etc., etc.  Hopefully not a single new rider signs up for this ridership drive as the trains are horribly overcrowded as is.   But, yes, where are the 6 carriage trains already???

It's enough to make you want to smoke weed!

10 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Don't think there will be facial recognition/discrimination, but a Thai would need to lend their only card (they can only have one with 20THB flat rate) and would be breaking the T&C if doing so, so a risk for them if caught by route pattern monitoring or such like.

Personally, I would never give up my Senior card. Call the Tourist Police, have me arrested for theft of services. Next day's headlines.

27 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The defence for us oldies is to buy a Senior Rabbit purple card for BTS. Half-price in non-rush hours. Do I need to say don't buy at a tourist station? Helps if your have a pink card. 

I think that it is not longer possible for foreigners. I was refused to purchase it at different stations (I do not have a pink card and was also not asked for it}.

Wow. Its gonna cost me the same as it always has. Ill go broke.

19 hours ago, msbkk said:

I think that it is not longer possible for foreigners. I was refused to purchase it at different stations (I do not have a pink card and was also not asked for it}.

No, they never ask. Perhaps top-ups are easier. Have your Thai friend(ly) buy it for her Grandpa.