The Cabinet approved a unified BTS fare system covering all lines and colors, with fares starting at 17 baht and capped at 45 baht. The system is expected to start on 1 January 2027. The previous Cabinet resolution of a flat 20-baht fare for all routes was revoked, and the MRTA was authorized as the sole operator managing the BTS system.
On 23 June 2026 at Government House, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that the Cabinet approved measures to reduce the public’s cost of living through a unified fare system for all BTS mass transit lines, covering every color and route. The system will operate as a single-entry fare ticket costing 17-45 baht. The government aims to implement this by 1 January 2027 as a New Year's gift and to ease the public’s financial burden.
“From now on, the Ministry of Transport will discuss establishing a clearinghouse system to implement a single-entry fare system, with the intention to complete it by New Year 2027,” he said.
Later, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that Thailand currently faces rising oil prices and inflation, which have increased the cost of living. Additionally, BTS fares require repeated entry fees and are expensive because multiple operators set fares under separate concession contracts, causing travel expenses to impact the public significantly.
Therefore, to reduce travel expenses and improve the public’s quality of life, the Cabinet resolved to revoke the 8 July 2025 resolution setting a maximum flat fare of 20 baht per route (Phase 2) and to cancel the assignment of the Digital Government Development Agency (Public Organization) to develop the centralized revenue management system (CCH). Instead, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is tasked with coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to identify the appropriate agency to develop and manage the centralized revenue management center and to issue a ministerial regulation defining the unified fare rates by December 2026, intending this as a New Year gift for all citizens.
The Cabinet acknowledged the following principles for the public cost-of-living relief measures through the unified BTS fare system:
1. The maximum fare shall not exceed 45 baht per trip (including the original 17-baht entry fare) covering all BTS lines in Bangkok and the metropolitan area. If the fare for the entire route is less than 45 baht, the actual fare shall be charged without repeated entry fees, collecting fare only once at the origin station.
2. Use EMV Contactless cards for fare payment.
3. Establish special fares for the elderly, children, disabled persons, and disadvantaged groups.
Additionally, the Cabinet acknowledged the 2025 resolution of the Land Traffic Management Commission approving a comprehensive restructuring of the BTS system, designating the MRTA as the sole state agency responsible for integrated management of all BTS projects. This includes overseeing the transfer of the main Green Line, Green Line extensions, Gold Line, and Red Line projects, along with related revenues and obligations, following relevant legal procedures.