I cleverly brought my Rabbit card with me, but found out today that it had expired! I was told I cannot buy a new one without my passport, which is lodged in my room safe! I recall discussion about this over the years. Is passport in fact essential? Also can you use Mastercard etc on BMT? I know you can on the MTR. I should know the answer to these questions, but any help appreciated.

Yep unfortunately you will need your passport to buy another rabbit card, last trip I think they had to reactivate mine which required my passport which luckily I had with me that day. You can't use credit cards at the turnstiles on the BTS (yet - I think there has been some talk?), however on the MRT, ARL and SRT, credit card is accepted. You would be better off just buying a cash ticket for the BTS at the booth or the machine (I think the machine accepts cash?)

3 hours ago, ichigo said:

Yep unfortunately you will need your passport to buy another rabbit card, last trip I think they had to reactivate mine which required my passport which luckily I had with me that day. You can't use credit cards at the turnstiles on the BTS (yet - I think there has been some talk?), however on the MRT, ARL and SRT, credit card is accepted. You would be better off just buying a cash ticket for the BTS at the booth or the machine (I think the machine accepts cash?)

Thanks! Yes I had Bt235 left on the card!

9 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I cleverly brought my Rabbit card with me, but found out today that it had expired! I was told I cannot buy a new one without my passport, which is lodged in my room safe! I recall discussion about this over the years. Is passport in fact essential? Also can you use Mastercard etc on BMT? I know you can on the MTR. I should know the answer to these questions, but any help appreciated.

How much is the hare replacement and is it human hare or synthetic? 😜

5 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Thanks! Yes I had Bt235 left on the card!

I think they will credit the amount to the new card. Regarding passports, sometimes presenting the same passport that you used to apply for a facility (for eg bank account, mobile phone account, Rabbit Card, etc) makes the process of managing the account go a lot faster. But of course most people wouldn't be carrying their old passports with them. Recently, I wanted to get a new passbook at a Bangkok Bank branch in Hatyai to replace my current one which was full; I had a new passport and the officer asked to see the passport to which the already full passbook was linked. I didn't have that old passport with me so they told me they had to contact my home branch (the branch where I opened the account) in Chiang Mai for verification and I had to wait a day or two. True enough, everything was sorted two days later and I got my new passbook. I think they're a lot more strict now with all sorts of mule accounts being used by scammers and I don't think I would have had any issues had I conducted my business at my home branch.

4 hours ago, mauRICE said:

I think they will credit the amount to the new card. Regarding passports, sometimes presenting the same passport that you used to apply for a facility (for eg bank account, mobile phone account, Rabbit Card, etc) makes the process of managing the account go a lot faster. But of course most people wouldn't be carrying their old passports with them. Recently, I wanted to get a new passbook at a Bangkok Bank branch in Hatyai to replace my current one which was full; I had a new passport and the officer asked to see the passport to which the already full passbook was linked. I didn't have that old passport with me so they told me they had to contact my home branch (the branch where I opened the account) in Chiang Mai for verification and I had to wait a day or two. True enough, everything was sorted two days later and I got my new passbook. I think they're a lot more strict now with all sorts of mule accounts being used by scammers and I don't think I would have had any issues had I conducted my business at my home branch.

Ok!

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

Ok!

You're welcome. 🙄

Safe trip home.

On 9/29/2026 at 5:44 PM, Keithambrose said:

I cleverly brought my Rabbit card with me, but found out today that it had expired! I was told I cannot buy a new one without my passport, which is lodged in my room safe! I recall discussion about this over the years. Is passport in fact essential? Also can you use Mastercard etc on BMT? I know you can on the MTR. I should know the answer to these questions, but any help appreciated.

Do you not carry a tatty old photocopy of your passport.
I do, it worked. Because I recently got a new passport (well about 1 year ago) I also carry a copy of the expired one.

28 minutes ago, Patanawet said:

Do you not carry a tatty old photocopy of your passport.
I do, it worked. Because I recently got a new passport (well about 1 year ago) I also carry a copy of the expired one.

I think I'll do that. Great suggestion, Elder Pat. Thanks. 🫶

52 minutes ago, Patanawet said:

Do you not carry a tatty old photocopy of your passport.
I do, it worked. Because I recently got a new passport (well about 1 year ago) I also carry a copy of the expired one.

I had a pic of my passport on my phone, but she wouldn't accept it!

22 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

I think I'll do that. Great suggestion, Elder Pat. Thanks. 🫶

Indeed, but ti thought the pic would work. It did st the exchange booth!

16 hours ago, mauRICE said:

I think they will credit the amount to the new card. Regarding passports, sometimes presenting the same passport that you used to apply for a facility (for eg bank account, mobile phone account, Rabbit Card, etc) makes the process of managing the account go a lot faster. But of course most people wouldn't be carrying their old passports with them. Recently, I wanted to get a new passbook at a Bangkok Bank branch in Hatyai to replace my current one which was full; I had a new passport and the officer asked to see the passport to which the already full passbook was linked. I didn't have that old passport with me so they told me they had to contact my home branch (the branch where I opened the account) in Chiang Mai for verification and I had to wait a day or two. True enough, everything was sorted two days later and I got my new passbook. I think they're a lot more strict now with all sorts of mule accounts being used by scammers and I don't think I would have had any issues had I conducted my business at my home branch.

Thanks, about credit, unfortunately, I threw the card away! One thing I noticed is that Grab is so cheap, its easier to order grab from the comfort of your hotel, and be driven in air conditioned comfort to the door of where you want to go. Hotel le Meridien to Shangri la, Grab Bt80. Door to door. By BTS, Bt38, plus 10 minute walk from Meridien, and 5 minute walk from Saphan Taksin. Plus waiting etc!

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

I had a pic of my passport on my phone, but she wouldn't accept it!

I'd try clerk at different station in such a case

Just now, vinapu said:

I'd try clerk at different station in such a case

She said she had to scan the bar code?

1 minute ago, Keithambrose said:

She said she had to scan the bar code?

ouch !

2 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

She said she had to scan the bar code?

Careful. Once Mama-san scans that barcode, you’ve bought her a Macallan and offed three dancers. Suddenly that fiver pales as a rebate.

9 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

plus 10 minute walk from Meridien, and 5 minute walk from Saphan Taksin

Walking is not a bad thing!

8 hours ago, NormandyCoast said:

Careful. Once Mama-san scans that barcode, you’ve bought her a Macallan and offed three dancers. Suddenly that fiver pales as a rebate.

sounds like you already tasted that Macallan in quantity

7 minutes ago, vinapu said:

sounds like you already tasted that Macallan in quantity

/—

Tasted in quantity? Such an elegant phrase for drinking. “Hey lads … let’s head to the pub and taste some Labatt’s Blue in quantity.” 😏😇

On 9/29/2026 at 2:06 PM, ichigo said:

You can't use credit cards at the turnstiles on the BTS

It surprises me that this still isn't possible. It’s no problem at all on the metro, of course; I always quickly tap in and out with my credit card there. But with the Skytrain, you have to buy a ticket every time. Many machines only accept coins, and there are often long lines for them. It would be so much better if you could just check in with your credit card there, too.

5 hours ago, ichigo said:

Walking is not a bad thing!

True, depending on the weather. However, gone are the days when I walked from Dusit Thani to the Shangri-la!

6 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

It surprises me that this still isn't possible. It’s no problem at all on the metro, of course; I always quickly tap in and out with my credit card there. But with the Skytrain, you have to buy a ticket every time. Many machines only accept coins, and there are often long lines for them. It would be so much better if you could just check in with your credit card there, too.

This is Thailand!

7 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

It surprises me that this still isn't possible. It’s no problem at all on the metro, of course; I always quickly tap in and out with my credit card there. But with the Skytrain, you have to buy a ticket every time. Many machines only accept coins, and there are often long lines for them. It would be so much better if you could just check in with your credit card there, too.

Yeah I agree, but I am sure it will happen eventually.

The problem may be that BTS' Rabbit card also serves as a shopping card, which they have been promoting for years. They make money when cardholders use it that way too. So, I have a sneaky feeling that BTS sees the adoption of credit card gateways as a move that will gradually reduce the need to hold the Rabbit card, which will reduce the shopping side of the business.

Darn it, this thread reminded me to check my rabbit card, I thought it was close to the 7 year expiry and sure enough after checking it expired June this year. Oh well next year I will have to renew it or get a new card altogether.

1 hour ago, TMax said:

Darn it, this thread reminded me to check my rabbit card, I thought it was close to the 7 year expiry and sure enough after checking it expired June this year. Oh well next year I will have to renew it or get a new card altogether.

As I think I reported earlier -- 7 years no longer exists. It was abolished a year or two ago. Since then, I have had to have two one year ones.
You can (and do) still use your 7 year version till you try to renew it, then you become annual.
Don't forget to take your passport (or a copy) with you to renew.