Thailand Proposes Capped Rail Fares for 2027 With 5.8 Billion Baht Budget

Thailand, October 2026 – Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to submit the proposed rail fare scheme to the Cabinet on October 26, requesting a budget ceiling of 5.8 billion baht for a one-year trial running from January 1 to December 31, 2027. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat outlined the proposal following a meeting of the committee overseeing rail fare policies.

Under the proposed arrangement, eligible Thai nationals would initially pay the standard fare and receive a refund for the difference through the Paotang mobile application within three days. Registration would require an EMV-standard Visa or Mastercard, as the system currently cannot support Rabbit cards. Authorities are also considering arrangements for children aged 7–15, who cannot independently open Paotang accounts.

The Cabinet submission will also seek an extension of the existing 40-baht daily fare measure on the Red and Purple lines until December 31, 2027. A separate item will cover preparations to transfer electric rail management responsibilities under a framework intended to bring rail projects under the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).

The proposed 5.8 billion baht allocation represents a spending ceiling rather than a fixed payment. Reimbursements would be made according to actual fare differences, while the government is discussing how increased passenger numbers and potential contributions from private operators could reduce the final funding requirement.

Data from the Department of Rail Transport showed increased use of contactless EMV payments on the Red and Purple lines after the daily fare measure began in December 2025. By the end of August 2026, average daily EMV-paid journeys had reached 9,460 on the Red Line and 27,653 on the Purple Line, representing increases of 89.01% and 135.41%, respectively.

Source: The Nation Thailand