Dept of Rail pushes 17-45 Baht fares and EMV system by early 2027

MGR Online•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Rail is planning a zoning-based fare structure and the transfer of Green and Gold lines to the MRTA to implement a 17-45 baht fare ceiling by early 2027.

•The Department of Rail aims to implement a joint fare of 17-45 baht across all lines by the new year of 2027.
•Plans include transferring the Green and Gold lines from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to the MRTA.
•The system will utilize EMV payments with Krungthai Bank as the clearing house, targeting Thai nationals.
•A zoning fare model is being studied, with a proposed flat rate for every 12 stations.

Overview

•Athiphu Jittranukroh presided over the first public hearing for a study on zoning-based rail fare structures on July 20, 2026.
•Preliminary surveys show approximately 54% of rail users change lines, with an average trip distance of 12 stations.
•The Department of Rail expects to conclude the fare study by January 2027 for proposal to the Rail Policy Committee and the Land Traffic Arrangement Committee.
•A 40-baht daily pass for the Purple and Red lines remains in effect during the transition to the new fare structure.
•Pichet Kunathamrak stated the Department of Rail will accelerate the transfer of the Green and Gold lines from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to the MRTA.
•The main Green Line concession cannot be transferred immediately as the contract expires in 2029.
•The Department of Rail will negotiate changing the contract partner from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to the MRTA or use Mobile EMV swing gates as a promotional alternative.
•Pichet Kunathamrak noted that the joint fare of 17-45 baht will be reserved for Thai nationals verified through a database.

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Key Quotes

Pichet Kunathamrak

"Regarding the Green Line concession part, I believe BTS should not have a problem because it does not affect revenue in the case of 17-45 baht fares, as BTS will still collect fares at the original rate while the state will compensate the people."

กรณีสายสีเขียวส่วนสัมปทาน เชื่อว่า บีทีเอสไม่น่ามีปัญหา เพราะ ไม่กระทบต่อรายได้ กรณีเก็บค่าโดยสาร 17-45 บาท เพราะบีทีเอส ยังคงเก็บค่าโดยสารในอัตราเดิม โดยรัฐจะเข้าไปชดเชยคืนให้ประชาชนเอง

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Rail(กรมการขนส่งทางราง)

The government agency leading the study on rail fare structures and the implementation of the 17-45 baht fare ceiling.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(กทม.)ℹ️

The current entity holding the Green and Gold line contracts and the target for contract transfer negotiations.

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand(รฟม.)ℹ️

The agency intended to take over the management of the Green and Gold lines from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

BTS(บีทีเอส)ℹ️

The concessionaire of the Green Line.

Krungthai Bank(ธนาคารกรุงไทย)ℹ️

The bank that will serve as the clearing house for the EMV system.

Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนการขนส่งและจราจร)ℹ️

The agency studying Congestion Charging to support public transport funding.

Rail Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายระบบราง)

The committee responsible for announcing the cancellation of redundant entry fees.

Land Traffic Arrangement Committee(คณะกรรมการจัดระบบการจราจรทางบก)

The committee whose resolutions support the transfer of the Green and Gold lines to the MRTA.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that issued a resolution regarding the transfer of rail lines to the MRTA.

Person

Athiphu Jittranukroh(อธิภู จิตรานุเคราะห์)

Deputy Director General of the Department of Rail.

Pichet Kunathamrak(พิเชฐ คุณาธรรมรักษ์)

Director General of the Department of Rail.