Thailand Extends Rail Fare Subsidy Measures to December 2027

Key summary

Ms. Ploy Thale Lakshimsaengchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Committee on Driving Policies to Set Rail Transit Fares to Reduce Living Costs has approved extending the current fare reduction measures until December 31, 2027, from their original end date of November 30, 2026. The extension covers the Red Line suburban trains operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), specifically the Nakhon Witthaya line (Bangkok Abiat–Taling Chan) and the Thani Rattaya line (Bangkok Abiat–Rangsit), as well as the Purple Line operated by the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA). The Ministry of Transport will present this proposal to the Cabinet for consideration. Data accumulated through August 2026 shows a significant increase in passengers using EMV Contactless cards on both lines since the daily flat-rate fare measure began on December 1, 2025. On the Red Line, average daily ridership rose by 89.01% to 9,460 passengers, with average daily revenue increasing by 212.43% to 0.31 million baht. On the Purple Line, average daily ridership increased by 135.41% to 27,653 passengers, and average daily revenue rose by 275.00% to 0.60 million baht. Combined, the two lines saw an average daily increase of 121.54% in ridership to 37,113 passengers.