Bangkok’s 20-baht flat fare on the Red and Purple urban rail lines will end on September 30, forcing commuters back to distance-based fares starting October 1. The change, confirmed by several news sources, will raise travel costs for thousands of daily riders but, officials say, is necessary to cover operating expenses and ensure the long-term financial health of the rail system.
The State Railway of Thailand says fares on the Red Line will return to a range of 12 to 42 baht, while Purple Line journeys will cost between 14 and 42 baht. Students, children, and seniors will continue to receive discounts, but passengers traveling across long distances will face noticeably higher costs.
Passengers wait to board a Purple Line train in Bangkok, as the city prepares to end the 20-baht flat fare and return to distance-based pricing Photo Courtesy Toshiba
The flat fare was introduced in October 2023 by the previous Pheu Thai-led government as a cost-of-living measure. It proved popular, with more than 120,000 commuters benefitting daily. Originally scheduled to remain in place until November 2025, the scheme is being cut short after the new administration resolved in July to end it earlier than planned.
Officials argue the move is unavoidable. Maintaining the subsidy required heavy state spending, and transport authorities say distance-based fares better reflect operational costs and help keep the network financially stable.
Still, the decision has sparked criticism. The Pheu Thai Party, now in opposition, has urged the government to reconsider, arguing that the flat fare not only reduced commuter costs but also boosted ridership and even raised operator revenues through higher usage. For many Bangkok residents, especially low-income workers, the end of the scheme feels like a step backward at a time when household expenses are already rising.
The policy’s reversal underscores a broader debate in Thailand: how to balance affordable public transport with the financial demands of operating and expanding an urban rail system. With Bangkok’s population heavily reliant on trains, the question of who pays—and how much—remains a politically charged issue likely to dominate transport policy discussions in the months ahead.
