Photo by surachetsh's Images via Canva

 

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain) is set to bring back its popular travel packages, allowing passengers to purchase discounted monthly fares starting tomorrow, September 11. This move comes in response to calls from commuters amid uncertainty surrounding a proposed 20-baht flat fare policy.

 

Historically, BTS offered travel packages enabling customers to select between 15 and 35 trips per month at reduced rates. These packages were abruptly halted as the Ministry of Transport prepared for the potential implementation of a 20-baht flat fare, championed by Suriya Juangroongruangkit of the Pheu Thai Party. The initiative had initially been slated to begin on October 1 but was postponed to November 15 due to delays in passing necessary legislation, leaving commuters in a state of limbo.

 

The political landscape further complicated matters when Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted from the prime ministerial position after a controversial call with Cambodia's former PM. This led to Anutin Charnvirakul’s appointment as the new Prime Minister, casting further doubt on the future of Pheu Thai’s policies, including the train fare scheme.

 

In response to growing uncertainty and public demand, the BTS announced via Facebook that it would reinstate its "Xtreme Savings" travel packages. These packages will be available for purchase through the Rabbit Rewards app and at all ticket offices. The offer includes:

 

For Adults:

• 15 trips/30 days for 570 baht (roughly 38 baht per trip)
• 25 trips/30 days for 900 baht (approximately 36 baht per trip)
• 35 trips/30 days for 1,190 baht (about 34 baht per trip)

 

For Students:

• 15 trips/30 days for 465 baht (around 31 baht per trip)
• 25 trips/30 days for 725 baht (close to 29 baht per trip)
• 35 trips/30 days for 945 baht (approximately 27 baht per trip)

 

Passengers must begin using their package within seven days of purchase to activate it.

 

Speaking on the flat fare proposal, PM Anutin remarked that careful assessment is crucial to determine whether the public will indeed benefit. He emphasised the importance of fiscal discipline, noting that some past projects have operated at a loss. Implementing the 20-baht fare policy could require government subsidies ranging from 6 to 8 billion baht annually to remain viable.

 

For now, the reinstated travel packages offer commuters an alternative solution as the government continues to deliberate over transportation policies. This move highlights the ongoing challenges and decisions faced by Bangkok’s leadership in balancing fiscal responsibility with public demand for affordable transit solutions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-11

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

For Adults:

• 15 trips/30 days for 570 baht (roughly 38 baht per trip)
• 25 trips/30 days for 900 baht (approximately 36 baht per trip)
• 35 trips/30 days for 1,190 baht (about 34 baht per trip)

I'm sure this will be welcome news for many many Bangkok commuters.

 

My wife is pleased to see the return of this fare scheme. 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This move highlights the ongoing challenges and decisions faced by Bangkok’s leadership in balancing fiscal responsibility with public demand for affordable transit solutions.

 

Yeah right. There's many a hoop to actually implement any change in government policy on any subject however minor ...

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

For Adults:

• 15 trips/30 days for 570 baht (roughly 38 baht per trip)
• 25 trips/30 days for 900 baht (approximately 36 baht per trip)
• 35 trips/30 days for 1,190 baht (about 34 baht per trip)

 

That's probably great for people who regularly commute a long distance, but most of my BTS trips are just a couple of stops so that wouldn't save me anything. 

 

Even if the scheme is available to foreigners...  The 20 baht scheme wasn't.   I don't see that detail in the OP. 

A lot of info was left out in the AN reporting here is the link to the BTS site which tells a different story.  It is only good for the core route, which is, I believe, Mor chit to Onnut  NATIONAL STADIUM TO wONG WIAN

 

https://www.bts.co.th/eng/XtremeSavings/index.html

Quote: "This move highlights the ongoing challenges and decisions faced by Bangkok’s leadership in balancing fiscal responsibility with public demand for affordable transit solutions."

 

But these idiots prioritize money for an unnecessary submarine program (CCP submarine program no less).

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Even if the scheme is available to foreigners...  The 20 baht scheme wasn't.   I don't see that detail in the OP. 

 

Exactly. 38 baht is almost double the 20-baht-scheme. Missed the travel packages when I lived in Bangkok, and they were suddenly halted.

 

Don't think, I will use the BTS much on my next trip to Bangkok. Most likely too crowded, and me paying up to 150% more than everyone else... No, thanks!

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This move comes in response to calls from commuters amid uncertainty surrounding a proposed 20-baht flat fare policy.

 

How difficult can it be to roll that out, seriously?!

8 hours ago, impulse said:

 

That's probably great for people who regularly commute a long distance, but most of my BTS trips are just a couple of stops so that wouldn't save me anything. 

 

Even if the scheme is available to foreigners...  The 20 baht scheme wasn't.   I don't see that detail in the OP. 

 

The packages are available to anyone, but, as you point out, they're only of value to daily commuters with longer rides. If your rides are short, or vary in length, or you don't travel regularly, they'll be useless to you. (They used to market these as "30 day tickets", which was highly misleading, since they're valid for a set number of rides, not a set period of time. Use up all the rides in the first week, and the ticket is dead.)

4 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

(They used to market these as "30 day tickets", which was highly misleading, since they're valid for a set number of rides, not a set period of time. Use up all the rides in the first week, and the ticket is dead.)

  

Good info.  One more question...  I assume you have to use all the rides within 30 days, lest they expire?  Or am I wrong?

 

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

  Good info.  One more question...  I assume you have to use all the rides within 30 days, lest they expire?  Or am I wrong?

 

You're correct. You have to use the first ride within seven days of purchase, and the rest within 30 days after that.

 

Before you buy, though, look at the helpful post from @kingstonkid above. These packages are only valid on the legacy BTS stations (plus Krung Thonburi and Wongwian Yai), not for travel to any of the dozens of stations beyond. Kind of ridiculous, but I guess the program will save a few baht for commuters whose travel happens to  be of exactly the "right" length and location.

 

5 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

You're correct. You have to use the first ride within seven days of purchase, and the rest within 30 days after that.

 

Before you buy, though, look at the helpful post from @kingstonkid above. These packages are only valid on the legacy BTS stations (plus Krung Thonburi and Wongwian Yai), not for travel to any of the dozens of stations beyond. Kind of ridiculous, but I guess the program will save a few baht for commuters whose travel happens to  be of exactly the "right" length and location.

 

Good info.  I can't imagine anyone going for one of these.  I'm gonna stick with my trusty, crusty old Rabbit Card.

 

 

I don't use the BTS much any more, however, I do use the MRT on a regular basis. I managed to get a yellow card for seniors (60+ year old) that give a 50% discount on all tickets. Most of my rides are 4 stations and costs me 13 baht a ride. Even a longer ride of 8 stations to Silom is under 20 baht for me. I just make sure to keep it topped up because I am not sure if foreigners can still get these discounted cards.

On 9/11/2025 at 5:14 PM, snoop1130 said:

Speaking on the flat fare proposal, PM Anutin remarked that careful assessment is crucial to determine whether the public will indeed benefit. He emphasised the importance of fiscal discipline, noting that some past projects have operated at a loss. Implementing the 20-baht fare policy could require government subsidies ranging from 6 to 8 billion baht annually to remain viable.

 

 

Pretty much sounds like the former government's proposed 20-baht flat fare plan for rail transit travel in BKK -- which would have included both BTS and MRT systems in their entirety -- isn't likely to be implemented under Anutin...