“Phiphat” declared that by the end of 2026, the M6 Motorway from Bang Pa-in to Korat and the M82 Motorway route from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai to Ban Phaeo will be free to use in both directions. The electric train fare policy of 17-45 baht across all lines and colors will start on 1 January 2027, with integration of buses and boats into a unified ticketing system planned for mid-2027.
On 13 July 2026, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed after the MOT New Chapter workshop on modernizing and caring for the public, with sustainable economic expansion for 2026-2027, that by the end of 2026 the Ministry of Transport will accelerate the opening of the M6 Motorway from Bang Pa-in to Korat for free use in both directions from the end of 2026 until April 2027. This is an expansion from the original plan of partial service only during the festival period.
As for the M82 Motorway route from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai to Ban Phaeo along Rama II Road, although delayed due to an accident, it is expected to begin trial use by late August 2026 and fully open for public use by the end of 2026, just before the New Year festival. The public will be able to use it free of charge for two years until the end of 2028.
Phiphat added that the Ministry of Transport is also advancing the electric train fare project, setting fares at 17-45 baht across all lines and colors. The Ministry aims to launch this as a New Year gift in 2027. Passengers will pay a single entry fee without additional charges when changing lines. This measure covers all lines except the Red and Purple Lines, which will retain a maximum fare of 40 baht as per the existing policy. However, when traveling only on these two lines, the fare applies at 40 baht; if connecting to other lines, the 17-45 baht fare policy will apply.
Phiphat said discussions with the Ministry of Finance have been held, assigning Krungthai Bank to develop the backend system as before, given its readiness to support EMV payment systems, which many lines currently use. The remaining task is to upgrade the Green Line from the Rabbit card system to EMV to enable seamless travel across the entire system. While it cannot be confirmed if this will all be completed simultaneously, all parties will expedite efforts to meet the policy launch date.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to expand the unified ticketing system to other public transport modes. After the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) receives 1,520 new buses during March to June 2027, the unified ticketing will begin integration with bus services, followed by public boat services. The goal is that by mid-2027, the public can use a single ticket across rail, bus, and boat transport systems.