Cabinet Accepts Transport Ministry's Delay on Joint Ticket Regulations
The Thai Cabinet accepted the Transport Ministry's justification for missing the 180-day deadline to issue 20 regulations under the Joint Ticket Management Act. Delays arose from extended public consultations and complex fare-revenue negotiations with transport operators. The ministry now targets completion of all regulations by 2026, aiming to integrate fares across trains, buses, and boats while eliminating duplicate fees.
The Cabinet acknowledged the Ministry of Transport's explanation for its inability to issue the 20 subordinate laws required under the Joint Ticket Management Act B.E. 2568 within the prescribed 180-day timeframe, which expires on June 25, 2026. The delay resulted from an expanded public consultation process — extended from a minimum of 15 days to 30 days via information technology systems — requiring feedback at both the policy-proposal stage and after draft regulations were prepared. Critically, the subordinate laws directly affect fare collection systems and revenue structures for each type of transport provider, necessitating further negotiations with operators to address technical constraints and operational limitations before the drafts can be effectively enforced. All 20 draft regulations have now been prepared.
The core of the joint ticket system is to reduce travel costs and improve public transport connectivity by setting integrated fares and eliminating duplicate entry fees between providers. It allows passengers to use a single card or payment medium to travel seamlessly across electric trains, buses, and passenger boats. Beyond convenience, the system aims to shift commuters from private cars to public transport, easing traffic congestion and pollution, while enhancing government oversight of service standards, revenue allocation among operators, and user data protection.
The Office of the Council of State agreed the Cabinet could approve the extension, with the observation that the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning must accelerate the issuance of subordinate laws to ensure effective management of the joint ticket system without undermining the legal enforceability of the Joint Ticket Management Act B.E. 2568.
