Transport Bangkok Electric Train Fares Capped at 20 Baht

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Nikkei Asia

Bangkok commuters are in for a treat as the government announced a price cap on all electric train fares at just 20 baht per ride, effective from October 1. This initiative aims to ease living costs and boost rail usage across the capital.

 

Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap revealed today that the Cabinet unanimously approved the flat-rate policy. This move delivers on a key government promise to tackle the rising cost of living in Bangkok.

 

The new policy applies to Bangkok’s extensive electric train network, spanning 13 routes, 194 stations, and almost 280 kilometres. Major lines like the Green, Gold, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Purple, Red, and Airport Rail Link (ARL) are included in this fare cap.

 

To access these discounted fares, commuters must register on the government’s Tang Rat app, using their 13-digit national ID number to confirm Thai citizenship.

 

Payments can be made via credit cards, debit cards, or Rabbit Cards, with the discount automatically applied. A QR code option is also in development to streamline boarding.

 

Different payment cards will cover various lines: Rabbit Cards cater to the Green, Gold, Yellow, and Pink lines, while Visa and Mastercard EMV contactless cards will be valid for the Red, Blue, Purple, Pink, Yellow, and ARL lines.

 

The government has assured that any revenue shortfalls for operators will be covered by the Joint Ticket Promotion Fund or other sources, ensuring that service quality remains unaffected.

 

Officials anticipate significant benefits from this policy—economically, socially, and environmentally.

 

Economically, it reduces travel costs for individuals by lowering the reliance on personal vehicles. Socially, it aims to decrease traffic congestion, thus improving road safety. Environmentally, it should lead to lower carbon emissions and better air quality, contributing to a cleaner urban environment.

 

“The savings across all areas could exceed 10 billion baht over the next year,” noted Jirayu. “This initiative will cut living costs, reduce congestion, enhance air quality, and encourage more residents to opt for safe and eco-friendly travel.”

 

Public registration for the scheme begins in August, with discounted fares commencing on October 1.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-09

 

 

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

To access these discounted fares, commuters must register on the government’s Tang Rat app, using their 13-digit national ID number to confirm Thai citizenship.

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

6 minutes ago, thesetat said:

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

A good idea 👍

 

Makes sense. 

[Celsius]

I have a Thai drivers license and pink ID card 💗 

[sungod]

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

I'll just ask the wife to apply and use her card.

[lordgrinz]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

To access these discounted fares, commuters must register on the government’s Tang Rat app, using their 13-digit national ID number to confirm Thai citizenship.

 

Does this mean we Farangs won't be required to pay taxes here then? Or is Thai racism still the norm here in Thailand?

[sungod]

 

 

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

I have a Thai drivers license and pink ID card 💗 

 

It would be interesting to see how that works, skepticism tells me it will identify you as a foreigner by your number and thus be ineligible. 

[atpeace]

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

I have a Thai drivers license and pink ID card 💗 

I have a donkey and an ugly GF 🙂  Same odds I think of being approved...

[atpeace]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

I'll just ask the wife to apply and use her card.

That should work.  I wonder if you can get two cards? Do you also ha e a GF? 

[chuang]

5 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

Charity begins at home 😁 

[thesetat]

20 minutes ago, chuang said:

Charity begins at home 😁 

Nah... this is just another dual pricing the Thai government want to make.... That is all

[thesetat]

5 hours ago, Celsius said:

I have a Thai drivers license and pink ID card 💗 

not good enough.... you need the thai national ID.... it is not the same as a Thai DL

[thesetat]

30 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I have a donkey and an ugly GF 🙂  Same odds I think of being approved...

both should be ashamed if seen with you. If the donkey is ugly and the Thai GF.. I can not imagine how much uglier you are. 

[atpeace]

2 minutes ago, thesetat said:

both should be ashamed if seen with you. If the donkey is ugly and the Thai GF.. I can not imagine how much uglier you are. 

Much uglier but not much I can do about that and doubt it will help me get a 20 baht card. I'll just waddle up and pay the regular rate.

[klauskunkel]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

A QR code option is also in development to streamline boarding.

The writer of this article stumbled upon an expression he thought would make his article look smart: to streamline boarding.

Boarding in this context means to get on the train. Using a QR code to streamline the boarding process for a train conjures up this image for me: for a passenger with a QR code the train door opens, for those without...

[khunjeff]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The new policy applies to Bangkok’s extensive electric train network, spanning 13 routes

 

I have no idea where they keep getting these fantasy numbers from. There are currently ten lines, or 11 if you count the Pink Line stub to Muang Thong as a separate line. 

 

[Thumbs]

8 hours ago, Celsius said:

I have a Thai drivers license and pink ID card 💗 

But that number is your passport so won't be 13 numbers

[StayinThailand2much]

8 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

 

The trains will be so overcrowded at times that foreigners may want to avoid them anyway.

[StayinThailand2much]

33 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

 

I have no idea where they keep getting these fantasy numbers from. There are currently ten lines, or 11 if you count the Pink Line stub to Muang Thong as a separate line. 

 

 

People who shut out foreigners, often also cannot count... 😆 

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Does this mean we Farangs won't be required to pay taxes here then? Or is Thai racism still the norm here in Thailand?

 

Next time I want to give a tip, I will ask for the staff/driver's nationality... Thai nationals will get a discounted tip. 😆 

[Searat7]

I foresee more government indebtedness to BTS and MRT as costs will be significant and usage will outstrip capacity on some lines.

[Drumbuie]

7 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Does this mean we Farangs won't be required to pay taxes here then? Or is Thai racism still the norm here in Thailand?

Imagine you're still in your home country. How would you feel about immigrants - whose culture of drink, drugs, casual sex with your female relatives and generally arrogant behaviour you find fairly abhorrent -  getting the same benefits as you? 

[StayinThailand2much]

52 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

I foresee more government indebtedness to BTS and MRT as costs will be significant and usage will outstrip capacity on some lines.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if non-subsidised ticket prices rose because of this. One more thing to consider when weighing holidays in Thailand vs. other destinations.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Drumbuie said:

your home country

Are you Thai?

[Yagoda]

13 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is done to ensure NO foreigners can apply and get on the trains for the 20 baht. 

Wow. Folks should pack up and leave.

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, Drumbuie said:

Imagine you're still in your home country. How would you feel about immigrants - whose culture of drink, drugs, casual sex with your female relatives and generally arrogant behaviour you find fairly abhorrent -  getting the same benefits as you? 

Especially when the ones complaining are too old fat and ugly to get even some paid chacha back in their home countries 

[blaze master]

2 hours ago, Drumbuie said:

Imagine you're still in your home country. How would you feel about immigrants - whose culture of drink, drugs, casual sex with your female relatives and generally arrogant behaviour you find fairly abhorrent -  getting the same benefits as you? 

 

You should go to canada the benefit packages new comers receive are fantastic. I won't even start with ths other things you mentioned. 

[BKKBike09]

Another harebrained scheme that will be overly complex to administer and will cost the state (ie the taxpayer) billions. They're already spending billions (USD not baht) to keep electricity and LPG prices artificially low.

 

It doesn't say if open-ended but that's the implication. BTS at many hours of the day is already literally creaking at the seams so how this will work out if it encourages large numbers of people to commute in from the 'burbs is anyone's guess.

[sungod]

3 hours ago, Drumbuie said:

Imagine you're still in your home country. How would you feel about immigrants - whose culture of drink, drugs, casual sex with your female relatives and generally arrogant behaviour you find fairly abhorrent -  getting the same benefits as you? 

 

What, like the immigrant grooming gangs raping women in the UK you mean? 

 

[KhunLA]

5 hours ago, Drumbuie said:

Imagine you're still in your home country. How would you feel about immigrants - whose culture of drink, drugs, casual sex with your female relatives and generally arrogant behaviour you find fairly abhorrent -  getting the same benefits as you? 

Actually, they'd fit right in with the locals