The "Team Workers" group gathered at the Siam skywalk, revealing that BTS fares in Thailand are soaring, surpassing those in Singapore and South Korea. They called on Bangkok governor candidates to demonstrate their ability to resolve the high ticket prices.
On 10 June 2026 GMT+7, a group of independent Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) candidates known as "Team Workers" assembled at the skywalk in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). They held a press conference to expose the heavy burden of fares on the BTS Green Line and questioned all 18 Bangkok governor candidates to present their visions and positions on managing the transit concession contract, which is set to expire in three years.
Mr. Wiphut Sriwaurai, a BMC candidate from Bang Rak district representing the group, revealed that current Bangkok train fares, when compared to the minimum wage, are significantly higher than those in major cities with leading mass transit systems such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul, citing research from Harvard Kennedy School. The group presented simulated daily round-trip fare burdens for passengers traveling to Siam station to illustrate the real problem. Those traveling long distances on extensions from Khu Khot, Kheha, or Bang Wa face fares up to 130 baht per day; mainline travelers from Mo Chit or On Nut face 94 baht per day; and short-distance travelers from Taksin Bridge pay around 80 baht per day.
Mr. Wiphut added that although the Bangkok Metropolitan Council under former Governor Chadchart Sittipunt approved paying off over 70.9 billion baht in BTS debts (divided into 23.3 billion baht for system installation and 47.6 billion baht for operation costs), the major upcoming challenge is that the main transit concession (Mo Chit–On Nut and National Stadium–Taksin Bridge lines) will expire in 2029, coinciding with the new governor and council term. Meanwhile, Bangkok still holds a long-term operation and maintenance (O&M) contract until 2042.
"In line with the government's Single Ownership policy direction, our group wants to ask every Bangkok governor candidate what ideas, plans, or policies they have for managing fare prices and handling the concession contract after 2029," Mr. Wiphut stated.