Economy

BTS skytrain maximum fare rate increasing to 158 baht despite backlash

Published

1 month ago

Sunday, January 17, 2021

BTS skytrain maximum fare rate increasing to 158 baht despite backlash | The Thaiger

Bangkok’s BTS skytrain maximum fare rate is being raised to 158 baht despite receiving backlash over the hike. The Transport Ministry is behind the calls for City Hall to stop the increase as it says it is too expensive for the average commuter who takes the BTS 2 times a day. Saksayam Chidchob, the Transport Minister, says other routes should be explored before increasing the costs for commuters.

“The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should halt its policy on new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.”

The BMA and Transport Ministry were jointly appointed to set the fare’s ceiling in 2018, but it appears the BMA is now taking control of the new price hike. The BMA and Interior Ministry were previously responsible for granting concessions for the skytrain’s operation but the Transport Ministry is also part of the reviewing committee for extending the concessions and overall investments in the country’s mass transit system.

But deals are being made by the BMA that appear to ignore the Transport Ministry’s equal role in making decisions and the ministry says such actions are breaching co-investment laws. It isn’t the first time the BMA has made decisions without the Transport Ministry’s joint approval.

Before the new hike in fares, it previously extended concessions to the current Bangkok Mass Transit System in order to keep the fare ceiling at 65 baht. Now, making a new deal that would see passengers paying more than double in total fares across the skytrain system is being seen as pushing the envelope.

What is not clear is why the fares are being hiked when the country is suffering economically due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even though the new maximum is set to rollout on February 16, Bangkok’s governor has offered to bring the new maximum down to 104 for a short period of time in consideration of the recent Covid outbreak.

But even increasing the fare to 104 baht is being widely opposed. The secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution says even the discounted rate is too expensive for daily commuters. And, the date for the discount ending has not been announced.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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News Categories:Bangkok Economy

25 Comments

Loutarzoon
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 11:46 am
Even in Europe, 4 to 5 times more in average living costs, its a lot cheaper.. Thais becoming slaves
Reply
Jesus Monroe
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Not only are the thais screwing farangs they are happy to screw their own people too it seems…..
Reply
Toby Andrews
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 1:03 pm
Well it is B90 to go one stop on a London bus, so for a Brit the Skytrain is a bargain.
But that is only because the Thais have not worked out a viable way of charging a ferang more.
Reply
- Don jones
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 2:12 pm
  So Thais living in London are being completely ripped off.No ?
  Reply
- Don jones
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 2:15 pm
  So Thais living in London are being ripped off as well as the plebs to pay for the ridiculous wages of London Transport staff
  Reply
  - Toby Andrews
    Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 4:50 pm
    No, they are paying the local prices, which a great many foreigners are not allowed to do in Thailand.
    Consult 2price Thailand and see the photographs that show the Thai prices for admission in Thai script so that the foreigners will not understand what the Thais price is, and will not object to paying three time more than a Thai.
    THAIS IN LONDON ARE NOT RIPPED OFF. i NEVER WROTE AT ANY TIME THEY WERE!
    can’t you read?
    Reply
    - Mr cynic
      Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 6:22 pm
      thais most certainly are ripped off in london when it comes to public transport costs along with everybody else who lives or visit the place,ask any Londoner and they’l soon put you right on that score.
      Reply
      - Toby Andrews
        Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:31 am
        Yes they are, but they have the satisfaction of knowing everyone is being ripped off, not just foreigners, which is not the case in Thailand where they conspire to rip off forangs, and not Thais.
        I was shocked to see the latest public transport charges in London.
        I lived in London for ten years.
        What is gratifying is that the black taxis, who are some of the most expensive in the world, are stored in parks outside London. Not many will hire them.
    - Steve
      Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:50 am
      Absolutley right!
      Reply
- Me
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 5:04 pm
  What bus services in London charge you per stop?
  Reply
  - Toby Andrews
    Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:24 am
    B90
    Reply
    - Gazmo
      Monday, January 18, 2021 at 1:53 pm
      Buy a top up travel card similar to the Rabbit card here and you will pay alot less. You can not pay cash on London transport and the cards can be purchased in almost any Newsagent or Grocery shop. The current fare prices are a rip off and have now become a money maker for the Mayor of London to fund his daft cycle lanes throughout London.
      Reply
Ted
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 1:29 pm
A simple question; does Thai uni’s teach ‘market research’? Do they have research data [that] says, the increased price will not scare away, an daily increasing, numbers of commuters?
If they have done their research, well I feel sorry for those who uses BTS on a daily basis to make an income.
If they haven’t done their research, still feels sorry for those who uses BTS on a daily basis to make an income
Reply
John is my biggest fan
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Hahaha, the BTS is more expensive than the Hong Kong MTR!
Reply
Mister Stretch
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 3:05 pm
65 – 158 jump?
Someone’s having a laugh.
Even this farang would find an alternative, if possible.
158 every day, twice a day, if you are one of those that have to pay the max would be tortuous if you were accustomed to only paying 65, which to be honest, for a Thai, still seems a bit high.
Time for lots of people to find jobs closer to home, or time to shift homes.
Reply
- Voteforme
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 3:24 pm
  If they triple the price and lose half the riders… they’re making more money.
  But ya, 9000b/mo. That’s more than most people’s rent.
  Bts should be free or Almost free especially for low income thai people, paid with the peoples tax money.
  Reply
- Ted
  Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 3:25 pm
  My wife used to pay 150/day (motorbike to and from the station + BTS train to and from to her office). She did this, even tough, she had a [choice] car but didn’t feel like sitting a few hours, through Silom and Sukhumvit, traffic jams, 5 days a week.
  I wonder how many more has the same option, I guessing quite a few so this won’t help with Bkk’s traffic situation, at all.
  Reply
Deke
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 3:48 pm
I see a return to the use of bicycles.
Reply
The elite
Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 9:59 pm
It is a screening process. If you do not want to pay the price, you can take cheaper ways of transportation like free buses and get stuck on the traffic with pollution. Soon there will be only high income commuters to use the BTS.
Reply
- Babadoo
  Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 1:32 am
  why do they move to other areas across the BKK? let them work in their areas. people coming from remote areas are taking away jobs of locals. This not normal. Market.
  Reply
Issan John
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 12:13 am
Hardly an incentive to use the BTS instead of the bus or a motor-bike taxi and so reduce pollution … ho hummm ….
Reply
Leonardo
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 5:58 am
New York City Subway fare is approximately 75 Baht and you can go anywhere it goes for that price
Reply
- Ted
  Monday, January 18, 2021 at 11:00 am
  That gives us a perspective. Stockholm, where I worked before settling down in Bkk, approx. 160 thb for a single journey but that includes all different means of transport [buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, and certain ferry lines] you need to take to get from A to B.
  Reply
  - John is My Biggest Fan
    Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:08 pm
    The longest journey on Hong Kong Island on the MTR (Chai Wan to Kennedy Town) is just 10.7HKD which is 41THB…
    Not only is the MTR much cheaper it’s clean, efficient, convenient and wait for it… underground. The BTS doesn’t even have escalators to all of its entrances/exits.
    The worst thing about the BTS – it an absolute eyesore.
    Reply
Dystophia
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 11:37 am
It’s seems the world is headed towards an economic collapse. The green economy is being pushed quickly. Eventually gas powered motorcycles, cars, trucks and other vehicles will be phased out as well. The cost of gasoline will be increased; eventhough Mataphut Oil Refinery is sucking it right out of the Gulf of Thailand. Greed is going to destroy this world. We may just have to go back to horseback, water buffalo riding, walking, or riding a bicycle. As it is, this all invisible enemy virus mumbo jumbo is bankrupting people into poverty.
Reply

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Bangkok

Thailand News Today | Bangkok protest fallout, northern fire bans | March 1

Published

5 hours ago

Monday, March 1, 2021

The Thaiger

Coming up today… the fallout from yesterday’s latest protest violence in Bangkok, the first vaccine in Thailand who got it, and a major drug haul along the Mekong.

But first we’ll start up north where Lampang Province is joining other northern provinces todday by putting a total fire ban in place from today, March 1, until the end of April. Chiang Mai also started a ban on all deliberately lit fires from today and Lamphun, just south of Chiang Mai, already has one in place.

The bans are timely after a horrid weekend of air pollution in many of Thailand’s provinces over the long weekend, even as far south as the tourist destination of Phuket where visibility was down to about 1 kilometre and the smell of smoke was noticeable.

Whilst up in the north… 4 Thai women were arrested at a security checkpoint in Tak’s Mae Sot district after they illegally crossed the border from Myanmar into Thailand.

Illegal casinos and fancy hi-so massage parlours in Myanmar in areas near the border, have attracted wealthy Thais and Burmese. The establishments have also attracted plenty of Thais looking for well-paid work across the border.

In a major bust along the Mekong River, a notorious hotzone for drug trafficking, border patrol police seized 920 kilograms of dried, compacted cannabis from a boat along the Nakhon Pathom riverbank, bordering Laos.

Now to the weekend violence as the protests resume where they left off last year…

At least 22 people were arrested during the major Bangkok protest yesterday. It turned violent as pro-democracy activists marched toward the Thai PM’s residence. It’s been reported that one officer died during the rally, reportedly due to heart failure.

At least 33 people were injured… that includes 23 police officers. The clashes happened in front of 1st Infantry Regiment barracks on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and involved around 1,500-2,000 activists fromthe Restart Democracy movement, part of the Free Youth group. The group has been protesting against the government and calling for reform of the country’s constitution and monarchy since protests began in July of last year.

And Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine campaign started with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who received the first of China’s Sinovac vaccine yesterday. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was initially planned to be the first to kick off Thailand’s immunisation plan with the AstraZeneca vaccine, but due to problems with paperwork, the PM’s injection was postponed.

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Bangkok

Nearly 300 cats rescued from Bangkok home shelters

Published

6 hours ago

Monday, March 1, 2021

Caitlin Ashworth

Nearly 300 cats rescued from Bangkok home shelters | The Thaiger

Rescued cats at the 3DPet Hospital & Hotel

Nearly 300 cats, many in wire cages, were found in 2 recently abandoned home shelters in Bangkok. Some cats were found dead and an animal activist who rescued the cats says the homes were filthy and smelled of cat feces.

The owner of the homes was initially providing shelter for the stray cats, but due to the financial problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of donations, the owner could no longer afford to feed and care for the cats, according to animal activist Warattada Pattarodom. The owner did not come by for a while and a neighbour would sometimes come by to feed the cats.

“The owner did not come to this place for quite a while, many months. So you can say they were abandoned because of her unfortunate circumstance, but they were not abused.”

After being rescued from the homes, the cats were taken to various veterinarian clinics for check ups. One veterinarian said he was sure the cats would recover.

“The cats got stressed because they were in an enclosure for a long time… but after last night they started to snuggle in the cage when people approached.”

The cats will be sent to a shelter in Chiang Mai which is also caring for elephants. Since the pandemic, the Chiang Mai shelter started taking in cats. It now cares for nearly 1,000 cats.

SOURCES: Reuters | NBT World

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Protests

At least 22 people arrested at Bangkok protest, officer dies of heart failure

Published

11 hours ago

Monday, March 1, 2021

Caitlin Ashworth

At least 22 people arrested at Bangkok protest, officer dies of heart failure | The Thaiger

PHOTO: Nation Thailand

At least 22 people were arrested during the Bangkok protest yesterday, which turned violent as pro-democracy activists marched toward the prime minister’s residence, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. An officer died during the rally, which the human rights group says was due to heart failure.

Some protesters threw ping pong bombs and firecrackers in the violent clash with police, the group says. Police armed in riot gear fired rubber bullets and hit protesters with batons. Water cannons and tear gas were used to break up the crowds after some protesters had breached the barricade of shipping containers that had been blocking the way to the prime minister’s residence at a military base on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, according to the Bangkok Post. At least 33 people, including 23 police officers, were injured.

Out of the 22 arrested, 4 were minors who were picked up from the Din Daeng police station by their parents and will need to report to the Juvenile and Family Court this afternoon, according to the human rights group. The detained protesters face charges of fighting, blocking or harming a police officer.

Protesters from REDEM, or Restart Democracy, which is a spin off of the Free Youth group, were marching to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s residence to call on monarchy reform and an end to Thailand’s military influences in government.

เปิดบันทึกจับกุมผู้ชุมนุม #ม็อบ28กุมภา 22 ราย รวมเยาวชน 4 ราย บรรยายพฤติการณ์ อาทิ
– ผู้ชุมนุมปาระเบิดปิงปอง-ประทัดยักษ์ ส่วนจนท.มีเพียงโล่บังป้องกันตัว
– จนท.ได้รับบาดเจ็บหลายนาย เสียชีวิต 1นาย
– ผู้ชุมนุมไม่ยอมเลิก จึงจับกุม
เหตุจนท.เสียชีวิตนั้น ข่าวระบุเป็นอาการหัวใจล้มเหลว pic.twitter.com/sX3J9Jb5Ux
— TLHR / ศูนย์ทนายความเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชน (@TLHR2014) March 1, 2021

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