Attention is on tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting where the Ministry of Transport will propose transferring management rights of all skytrain lines, regardless of color or route, to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) under a single ownership model. This aims to promote a unified ticketing policy with fares starting at 40 baht all day as a New Year 2027 gift to the public.
On 1 June 2026, Mr. Siripong Angkasukolkit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed progress on pushing the unified ticketing policy. He said that at the Cabinet meeting on 2 June, the Ministry of Transport plans to present for acknowledgement a proposal to transfer management rights of all skytrain lines under the MRTA’s administration—known as the Single Ownership approach—to enable integrated management of the skytrain system, supporting the unified ticketing policy.
"The Ministry is currently discussing management rights and operational authorities for parts of the skytrain projects. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will transfer certain management rights to the MRTA to enable efficient overall project management. This is the starting point for unified fare pricing. Therefore, this concept must first be approved in principle by the Cabinet to define a cooperative framework for all involved agencies."
A reporter from the Ministry of Transport added that at the Cabinet meeting on 2 June, the Ministry will propose the principle of Single Ownership for Cabinet approval, to transfer skytrain projects under the BMA and amend contracts with private companies to place them under MRTA ownership. If the Cabinet acknowledges this, negotiations will begin with private contractors and the BMA to transfer all skytrain service rights to MRTA. The Ministry confirmed this approach will not use budget funds or affect public debt but will change concession contracts—from the BMA holding contracts with private firms to MRTA holding the rights and contracts instead.
"Transferring management rights to MRTA will be the starting point for unified fare pricing under the unified ticketing system. The government aims to complete this within this year and announce the new fare starting at 40 baht all day as a New Year’s gift to the public on 1 January 2027."
Regarding the skytrain projects whose concession contracts will change from PPP Net Cost to PPP Gross Cost model, there are currently four projects involved:
1. The Green Line Skytrain: Sukhumvit Line (light green) from Mo Chit to On Nut and the Silom Line (dark green) from National Stadium to Taksin Bridge. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has concession contracts with Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), covering the main concessions for Mo Chit–On Nut and National Stadium–Taksin Bridge sections, expiring in 2029.
Additionally, the Green Line has contracts for operation and maintenance expiring in 2042, covering the main sections Mo Chit–On Nut and National Stadium–Taksin Bridge, plus the first extension from Taksin Bridge to Bang Wa and On Nut to Bearing, as well as the second extensions from Mo Chit to Khu Khot and Bearing to Samut Prakan.
2. The Blue Line Skytrain: from Hua Lamphong Station to Bang Sue Station, including the extension from Hua Lamphong to Lak Song. The MRTA has contracts with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) covering operation, fare collection, and commercial development concessions, expiring in 2049. However, the Blue Line contract obligates BEM to pay compensation to MRTA from fare revenue and commercial development according to contract terms, with the concession ending in 2050.
3. The Pink Line Skytrain: from Khae Rai to Min Buri. The MRTA has a PPP Net Cost concession contract with Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited (NBM). The private sector invests in civil works, systems, rolling stock, operation, and maintenance for 30 years from service start. The state provides financial support for civil works. The concession expires in 2053.
4. The Yellow Line Skytrain: from Lat Phrao to Samrong. The MRTA has a PPP Net Cost concession contract with Eastern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited (EBM). The private sector invests in civil works, systems, rolling stock, operation, and maintenance for 30 years from service start. The state provides financial support for civil works. The concession expires in 2053.