Currently, a Bangkok train ride can set you back anywhere from B15-62 – the further you go, the more you pay. But come September 30, Thai citizens get to ride the entire network for a flat B20. The catch is you’ll need a Thai ID to unlock this transit goldmine, so it’s mostly a locals-only win.
While the B20 flat fare is a game-changer for Thai citizens, it also highlights a troubling disparity. Migrant workers, long-term residents without Thai IDs and tourists, many of whom rely on Bangkok’s public transport daily, are excluded from this benefit. For a city that prides itself on being a global hub, this locals-only win feels like a missed opportunity for inclusivity and equity in public infrastructure.
The flat rate applies across all seven colored lines: red, purple, green, blue, pink, yellow and gold. This cuts travel costs big time for daily Bangkok commuters, whether you're trekking in from the outer rings or just hopping between Siam and Asok. B20 full stop.
This unified fare covers the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) – the elevated train network (aka the Sky Train), the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) – the underground metro system and the Airport Rail Link (ARL) that connects downtown Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
How to enjoy B20 fares
Register through the Tang Rat app and tap in using either:
- Contactless EMV cards (standard international credit/debit cards from Europay, Mastercard and Visa)
- Registered Rabbit cards (Bangkok's transit payment card system)
Payment compatibility by line:
- EMV cards: Red, purple, blue, pink, yellow lines + Airport Rail Link
- Rabbit cards: Green, pink, gold, yellow lines
Timeline (what we know so far)
August 2025, the Tang Rat app opens for sign-ups. Once you're in, you ride across Bangkok for just B20 on all networks from September 30. No end date has been set for this deal yet.
Who’s in?
Thai citizens only or anyone who carries a Thai ID.
Who’s out?
Visitors and Thais who haven’t signed up will keep paying the regular fares (B15-62).