A 20-baht suffer plan awaits the cabinet’s approval.
PUBLISHED: 13 May 2025 at 06: 16
The Transport Ministry is expected to receive cabinet approval later this month with a proposal from the Department of Rail Transport ( DRT ) to set a 20-baht fare cap for all-electric train lines.
Pichet Kunadhamraks, DRT director-general, made it known on Monday that the department submitted its request to the government last year regarding the second phase of the president’s 20-baht maximum suffer plan.
In accordance with the proposed proposal, relevant government organizations will begin negotiations with electric train line concessionaires to amend contracts or create memoranda of understanding in accordance with the public-private partnership ( PPP ) law once the cabinet approves the policy.
Additionally, Mr. Pichet stated that the Digital Government Development Agency ( DGA ) will make it easier to create a Central Clearing House (CCH) system that will be connected to the government’s” Tang Rat” app.
The first step of the 20-baht suffer program is expected to begin in August, with the entire application of the second phase of the plan scheduled to begin on September 30. The initial duration of the program is one time.
The second phase will handle all electric train lines, implementing the 20-baht fare cover for both on- and off-line journeys. He said that the fare will be implemented using a discount system, ensuring documented individuals ‘ payments will not exceed 20 ringgit.
Use either one of two different types of cards: EMV ( Europay, MasterCard, or Visa ), credit/debit cards, or Account-Based Ticketing ( ABT ) stored-value cards, such as Rabbit cards, to become eligible.
The MRT Purple Line and SRT Red Line’s first piloted the 20-baht suffer cover policy on October 16, 2023. Ridership on the Red Line increased by 50 % in its first year, from 20, 000 to 30, 000 regular visits, exceeding expectations.
The Purple Line even saw a 17 % increase in customers, from 50, 000–60, 000 to around 60, 000–70, 000 everyday. According to estimates from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand ( MRTA ), the line’s fare revenue would decrease by 56 to 60 million baht annually. However, the increase in ridership is expected to be offset in the next two years.
The second-year, two-year plan limiting the amount of money spent on airfare may be expanded even further. By September 30th, deputy prime minister and transport secretary Suriya Jungrungreangkit approved the plan to apply to all-electric train ranges under the policy, allowing unrestricted exchanges within the electrical rail system for a second cost.
The success of the House of Representatives ‘ current assessment of the joint ticket system administration law depends on its passage.
By September, which is when the complete release is anticipated, it will be in place.