Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai Government will open public registration on August 25 for a new flat fare for all electric rail lines, which will be implemented from October 1, 2025, and funded by a new state-run fund.
Thailand's Ministry of Finance said long-term sustainability of the policy will be secured by establishing a fund to buy back concessions from private operators.
The Thai Cabinet has approved a budget of approximately 7 to 8 billion THB to subsidise the fare for the first year. The new fund model is being considered for the long term, with officials also exploring an infrastructure fund model.
The registration will be conducted through the "Tang Rat" mobile application. To be eligible, users must be Thai nationals and provide their 13-digit national ID number. Once registered, passengers can use their credit cards, debit cards, or existing Rabbit Cards to access the 20-THB fare.
The policy will apply to 13 rail lines across Bangkok and its suburbs, covering a total of 279.84 kilometres and 194 stations. This includes the Green, Gold, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Purple, Red, and Airport Rail Link lines. The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce the cost of living for the public, including lowering utility and energy expenses./.
