The Department of Highways is preparing to open the M6 Motorway, the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima section spanning 196 km, for public trial use without toll fees during the 2026 New Year festival. This aims to facilitate travel, reduce congestion on main routes, and ease traffic flow to the Northeast region.
For the Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section, trial use will be opened according to travel direction as follows:
- Outbound direction (leaving Bangkok)
Open for travel from 26 December 2025 at 00:01 until 1 January 2026 at 24:00 only.
- Inbound direction (entering Bangkok)
Open for travel from 2 January 2026 at 06:00 until 5 January 2026 at 24:00 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 opening schedule for the M6 Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima during the 2026 New Year runs from Friday, 26 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 (11 days). This was moved earlier than the original plan of 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 (7 days), as the Department of Highways accelerated construction of the Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section to complete one-way traffic operation one week ahead of schedule.
During the 2026 New Year trial period, only 4-wheel vehicles are allowed on the M6 with a speed limit of 80 km/h for safety. Drivers can enter and exit the M6 motorway at 7 toll gates, which are:
1. Bang Pa-in Toll Gate — connects to M9 Motorway, Highway 9 (Western Ring Road), and Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road).
2. Hin Kong Toll Gate — connects to Highway 33.
3. Saraburi Toll Gate — connects to Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road).
4. Kaeng Khoi Toll Gate — connects to Highway 3222.
5. Pak Chong Toll Gate — connects to Highway 2090.
6. Sikhio Toll Gate — connects to Highway 201.
7. Kham Thale So Toll Gate — connects to Highway 290.
The motorway also connects to the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass (Highway 204), facilitating convenient travel onward to provinces in the Northeast region.
The Department of Highways has set up 17 temporary restroom service points along the route to aid travelers, including:
- 14 points at toll gates (both inbound and outbound sides).
- Thap Kwang rest stop at km 64+900 (outbound side).
- Sikhio rest stop at km 147+000 (both inbound and outbound sides).
The Department of Highways requests all users to drive carefully, strictly follow traffic laws, observe warning and advisory signs, prepare vehicles properly, rest sufficiently, and study the route beforehand to ensure smooth, fast, and safe travel.
Read more news " Government Policy "