BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Transport Ministry prepared a 40-baht rail day pass for Bangkok commuters, with cabinet approval expected as early as next week.
Cabinet to vote on 40-baht pass
The Transport Ministry proposed a 40-baht (about 1 euro) day pass that would allow unlimited travel on the Purple and Red Line. The cabinet was scheduled to vote on the plan next week, after the Finance Ministry signaled its approval.
The current 20-baht single-journey ticket was due to expire on 30 November, and the new flat-rate offer was intended to follow on directly.
“To ensure continuity and avoid disruptions for commuters,”
said a non-identified official, the transition was expected to proceed smoothly.
Funding approved from 2026 central budget
The Finance Ministry supported the proposal and released the necessary budget allocations. Subsidies for the scheme were to be drawn from the central budget 2026.
According to officials, costs would remain contained because the pass would initially apply only to two lines. By contrast, a nationwide 20-baht ticket covering all 10 lines was estimated to cost 7 billion baht per year.
Focus on frequent commuters
The 40-baht day ticket was designed to benefit passengers who travelled frequently and typically needed both outbound and return journeys. For regular users of the Purple and Red Line, daily fare expenses would be capped.
Both lines link key suburbs with Bangkok’s city center and are considered essential for many office workers and other commuters. The measure was presented as a significant relief and a step towards a broader shift in urban transport.
Concession contracts under review
To extend a 40-baht ticket across the wider network, concession contracts with BTS and MRT operators would first have to be amended. The Finance and Transport Ministries were reviewing the relevant agreements and weighing different options.
One option under discussion was the creation of a fund to buy back concessions, with estimated costs of around 100 billion baht. No final decision on this broader approach had been taken.
Annual oversight to keep subsidies in check
The project was to be reviewed every year to ensure compliance with the State Fiscal and Budgetary Discipline Act. This mechanism was intended to keep subsidies within set limits and prevent them from escalating.
For Bangkok commuters, the day pass was presented as a potential game-changer that could make rail use more attractive and predictable. If the cabinet endorsed the plan next week, the new flat-rate ticket could be introduced soon, marking an important step for the city’s transport system.