The trial opening of Motorway No. 82 (M82), an elevated expressway along Rama 2 Road designed to ease traffic toward the south, begins on Friday, 28 August 2026 at 10:00 AM. The service is available 24 hours a day without toll fees, providing free use for about two years. This free access is expected to continue until the installation of the toll collection and traffic control O&M system is fully completed around 2029.
The opened section extends the Ekachai–Ban Phaeo segment (16.4 kilometers), connecting to the previously open Bang Khun Thian–Ekachai segment, making a continuous 25-kilometer route from Bang Khun Thian interchange to the Ban Phaeo terminus.
Points Requiring Caution
At the toll plaza entry-exit areas such as Phanthai Norasingh, Mahachai 1 and 2, and Ban Phaeo, vehicles changing lanes to enter or exit often have greatly differing speeds. Drivers should be alert for cutting-in vehicles and sudden deceleration.
In construction transition zones, some areas are still completing safety equipment and finishing civil works. Drivers should strictly observe warning and speed limit signs, avoid high speeds, and rigorously comply with traffic laws. Slow vehicles should keep to the right lane, while faster vehicles should return to the left lane after overtaking.
Users should adapt carefully to this new elevated route, being cautious not to miss exits or abruptly change lanes to reach toll plazas.
Traffic on the ground-level Rama 2 Road below remains dense, with intersections from side streets and large trucks continuing to use the original route.
Traffic conditions beneath the elevated motorway are still congested, especially at points where large trucks enter and exit factory and freight terminal areas. Drivers exiting M82 to join the parallel road below should watch for vehicles cutting in and reduce speed in advance.
Speed control and route physical features are strictly enforced during this trial phase on the elevated structure. Speed limits are 80 km/h for four-wheel cars and 65 km/h for heavy vehicles, with speed cameras monitoring the entire route.
Drivers should beware of strong crosswinds on the elevated roadway during thunderstorms, as the high structure can cause vehicles, especially tall or SUV types, to sway or lose stability. Maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel is advised.
Entry-Exit Points and Usage Conditions
The four operational entry-exit points are:
Phanthai Norasingh Toll Plaza
Mahachai 1 Toll Plaza
Mahachai 2 Toll Plaza
Ban Phaeo Toll Plaza (Note: Samut Sakhon Toll Plazas 1 and 2 remain closed due to ongoing construction).
Speed Limits for Safety
For maximum safety during the trial period, the Department of Highways has set the following speed limits:
Four-wheel vehicles: no more than 80 kilometers per hour
Vehicles with more than four wheels (trucks/buses): no more than 65 kilometers per hour
Prohibitions: All motorcycles, three-wheelers, push carts, and pedestrians are strictly forbidden on the motorway.
Construction Duration and Budget
The project began civil works in two main phases from 2019–2021: Phase 1 Bang Khun Thian–Ekachai started around 2019, Phase 2 Ekachai–Ban Phaeo began around 2021.
Total construction time from foundation to trial opening took approximately 5–7 years, with delays due to traffic management and safety measures in the area.
The civil works investment for the Ekachai–Ban Phaeo section alone is about 18.759 billion baht.
Traffic Benefits
This motorway helps divert and reduce traffic volume on the ground-level Rama 2 Road by about 20%, from an average daily volume of 100,000–120,000 vehicles, enhancing travel efficiency between Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, and onward to southern provinces.
Arkom Rumsuwan
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