"Phiphat"has issued directives to the Department of Highways to fully accelerate construction of Highways 4 and 41, hinting at dedicated maintenance for southern roads after long neglect. He boldly declared the end of the Rama 2 Road era to enable smooth travel southward.by the end of 2026for sure, while also speeding up construction ofMotorway M8from Nakhon Pathom to Pak Tho. As for Motorway M6,the Bang Pa-in to Korat section,he pledged it would be free to use along the entire route as a New Year gift for 2027. Meanwhile, M82the Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo section,is expected to open by late 2026 and be free for two years beforetoll collection begins in 2030.He also introduced the new "MR1" project to assist with flood drainage and comprehensive cargo transport, addressing chronic flooding in central Thailand.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Transport, revealed that he has directed the Department of Highways to expedite upgrading Highway 4, covering the route from Chumphon through Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, to Trang, and Highway 41 from Chumphon through Surat Thani,Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung,and Phang Nga, in a full-scale effort. Simultaneously, he instructed speeding up construction of the southern intercity motorway route number 8,from Nakhon Pathom to Pak Tho,Wang Manao, and Phetchaburi. Previously, only Motorway M82 Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo served as the southbound route. Regarding construction on Rama 2 Road, he confirmed the Ministry ofTransportwill accelerate completion of both the expressway over Rama 2 Road andRama 2 Road itself,ensuring they are finished and open for use with no ongoing construction by the end of 2026.
In addition, concerning the Motorway M6 project,the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima section,he receivedconfirmationfrom the Department of Highways that it will be fully operational in both directions by New Year 2027, around late 2026, as a gift to the public. Previously, only partial and one-way trial operations were available.
Phiphatstated thatmeanwhile, the Motorway M82Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo section,has ongoing accelerated construction, with the main structure expected to be completed byMay 2026, but it will open for use byAugust 2026.Some entry and exit points will open gradually as they become ready, with full operation expected by the end of the same year. Initially, the motorway will be free to use for about two years before tolls are charged starting in 2030, following installation of toll collection and traffic management systems under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with contracts expected to be signed late 2026.Furthermore, he directed the Department of Highways to expedite PPP projects for operation and maintenance (O&M) of
M82.. At the same time, construction of the M5 extension motorwayfrom Rangsit to Bang Pa-in,and the Western Ring Road (M9), as well as rest area projects on the M6 Bang Pa-in to Korat and M81 Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi routes, are being accelerated. He also plans to propose cabinet approval for the first southern motorway M8 section fromNakhon Pathom to Pak Tho to Phetchaburi.. Phiphat
added that the ministry has also discussed with the Ministry of Finance ways to raise funds through the Thailand Future Fund (TFF) or by bringing projects to capital markets, to enhance investment capacity for agencies like the Department of Highways and the Expressway Authority of Thailand. He emphasized that fund-raising requires a plan at least 1-2 years in advance and that projects must be revenue-generating, such as through toll collection, to attract investors.
Additionally, they are studying the MR1 project, an integrated infrastructure concept combining road, rail, and waterways. The route links northern regions through Nakhon Pathom to the Gulf of Thailand, aiming to improve flood drainage during the rainy season and support cargo transport like rice, cassava, stone, and sand via water transport alongside rail and road systems.
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