Bangkok: "Do it immediately! What time?" Supachai urged the Pheu Thai party to answer questions about the immediate implementation of the 20-baht BTS fare signs, and where the funding will come from. He expressed concern that taxpayer money from outside Bangkok might be used to subsidize Bangkok residents. He also questioned why Suriya, who has served as Minister of Transport for a long time, did not implement this when his government was in power.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a Bhumjaithai Party candidate on the party-list, questioned the Pheu Thai Party's campaign promise of a 20-baht flat fare for the entire BTS Skytrain system, as displayed on campaign posters throughout Bangkok. He asked whether this 20-baht fare could truly be implemented immediately, noting that Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit had served as Minister of Transport continuously from the governments of Mr. Settha Thavisin to Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, yet the 20-baht flat fare had not been implemented. Therefore, he demanded clarification on the feasibility of such a policy.
Mr. Supachai further stated that the policy regarding fare pricing is governed by three laws: the Mass Transit Railway Act of Thailand, the Rail Transport Act, and the Integrated Ticketing Act. Any fare reduction must comply with these legal frameworks.
"The question is, if current passengers pay 30-40 baht for fares, but suddenly it drastically drops to 20 baht, does that mean that fares have been overcharged all along? Or if the distance-based fare system has been correct all along, will the Pheu Thai party, which will implement this immediately upon forming a government, provide subsidies or use funds from the national budget, or from taxes paid by people in Suai Kolok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, or other provinces that don't use the electric train? Or will they use taxes from the entire country to subsidize only Bangkok residents? They must answer how they will do this to reassure Bangkok residents and the entire country. It shouldn't just be about putting up campaign signs without any explanation. When you were the Minister of Transport from the beginning, why didn't you do it then? Why do you think you can do it immediately now?"