The Democrat Party's deputy spokesperson opposes cutting train services and proposes a model of “fare reduction and increased trips” to encourage people to use public transportation instead of subsidizing fuel prices at 1.7 billion baht per day, pointing out this is a more sustainable solution.
On 19 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Jirawat Changwat, Democrat Party deputy spokesperson, expressed his views on his personal page regarding the State Railway's plan to reduce train services due to rising fuel costs. He stated this approach is mistaken as it worsens the crisis and limits travel options for the public. His policy recommendation is to “subsidize fares instead of reducing trips.”
Mr. Jirawat proposed that the government turn the high fuel price crisis into an opportunity to seriously encourage public transit use. He opposed cutting train services because it would further burden citizens. Instead, frequency and number of trips should be increased to make travel most convenient. He suggested a fare model of 5-30 baht, adapting the Democrat Party’s policy for trains, electric trains, buses, and boats within Bangkok and its metropolitan area. This would require a more cost-effective budget, with fare subsidies not exceeding 40 million baht per day, which is far less than the fuel fund subsidy of 1.7 billion baht daily.
“Subsidizing public transport not only immediately lowers living costs for people but also reduces overall national fuel consumption and extends oil reserve stocks,” the Democrat Party deputy spokesperson emphasized. He recommended the government urgently implement measures to support public travel by both “lowering fares” and “increasing trip frequency” to create sustainable and economical options for citizens during the energy crisis.