The Department of Highways is preparing to allow the public to trial use of the M6 motorway section from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima, covering the entire 196 km route with no toll charges during the 2026 New Year festival. This aims to facilitate travel, reduce congestion on main routes, and ease traffic towards the Northeast region.
The Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section will open for trial use with travel directions divided as follows:
- Outbound direction (leaving Bangkok)
Open for travel from 00:01 on 26 December 2025 until 24:00 on 1 January 2026 only.
- Inbound direction (heading toward Bangkok)
Open for travel from 06:00 on 2 January 2026 until 24:00 on 5 January 2026 only.
The Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section will be temporarily closed on 2 January 2026 from 00:01 to 06:00 to switch traffic directions. Meanwhile, the Pak Chong to Nakhon Ratchasima section will remain open for two-way traffic 24 hours as usual.
The free trial service schedule for M6 Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima during the 2026 New Year period will run from Friday, 26 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 (11 days). This is earlier than the original plan of 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 (7 days), thanks to the Department of Highways accelerating construction of the Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section to allow one-way traffic operation a week ahead of schedule.
For this New Year trial, only 4-wheeled vehicles are allowed, with a speed limit of 80 km/h for safety. Drivers can enter and exit the M6 motorway at 7 toll gates, including:
1. Bang Pa-in toll gate — connecting to M9 motorway, Highway 9 (Western Ring Road), and Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road).
2. Hin Kong toll gate — connecting to Highway 33.
3. Saraburi toll gate — connecting to Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road).
4. Kaeng Khoi toll gate — connecting to Highway 3222.
5. Pak Chong toll gate — connecting to Highway 2090.
6. Sikhio toll gate — connecting to Highway 201.
7. Kham Thale So toll gate — connecting to Highway 290.
The motorway also connects to the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass road (Highway 204), facilitating convenient travel onward to other provinces in the Northeast region.
The Department of Highways has arranged 17 temporary restroom service points along the route to serve travelers, including:
- 14 points at toll gates (both inbound and outbound sides)
- Thap Kwang rest area: km 64+900 (outbound side)
- Sikhio rest area: km 147+000 (both inbound and outbound sides)
The Department of Highways requests all users to drive carefully, strictly observe traffic laws, heed warning and advisory signs, ensure their vehicles are well-prepared, rest adequately, and study the route before traveling for a smooth, fast, and safe journey.
/ State Policy /