The Ministry of Transport has begun trial operation of the M82 Motorway from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo, covering 25 kilometers, offering free 24-hour access for two years. This aims to solve traffic congestion on Rama 2 Road and improve travel flow to the south.
28 August 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, presided over the opening of the additional elevated motorway section number 82 (M82) from Ekachai to Ban Phaeo, spanning 16.4 kilometers. This allows the public continuous use of the elevated Rama 2 Road from Bang Khun Thian interchange through Ekachai to Ban Phaeo, totaling about 25 kilometers, free 24 hours daily. It provides an alternative travel route from Bangkok and the metropolitan area to the south, enhancing traffic capacity on Rama 2 Road below.
The public can access M82 at four points: Phanthai Norasingh Toll Plaza, Mahachai Toll Plaza 1, Mahachai Toll Plaza 2, and Ban Phaeo Toll Plaza, connecting to Rama 2 Road toward Samut Songkhram Province, Wang Manao Interchange in Ratchaburi Province, and other southern provinces. Samut Sakhon Toll Plazas 1 and 2 remain closed due to ongoing construction.
Mr. Pipat stated that opening the entire M82 section from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo free of charge makes available infrastructure that is ready for public use promptly, following the government's and Ministry of Transport’s Quick Win policy. The Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai section, 8.3 kilometers long, began trial service on 22 October 2025; now the Ekachai to Ban Phaeo section of 16.4 kilometers is added, allowing continuous use of about 25 kilometers.
This full-section trial opening marks a key milestone in solving travel problems on Rama 2 Road, the main route connecting Bangkok to the south. M82 will separate long-distance traffic from local traffic, reduce congestion below, and increase travel efficiency, especially during holidays and festivals.
The M82 Motorway also connects with Motorway 9 (M9) or the Kanchanaphisek Outer Ring Road in the southern and western sectors, as well as the Rama 3–Dao Khanong–Outer Ring Road Western Expressway project. This creates a continuous transport network from Bangkok through Samut Sakhon Province to western and southern regions, reducing travel and transport time and costs while linking economic zones, production bases, industrial centers, and major tourist attractions. It supports trade, investment, tourism, and the country's logistics system.
Mr. Pipat emphasized that the Department of Highways and related agencies must closely manage the route, traffic, personnel, and emergency support systems, especially at entry-exit points and the Ban Phaeo connection. They should clearly communicate route usage conditions and speed limits, prioritizing public convenience and safety.
Meanwhile, Mr. Piyapong Jiwattankulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways, said the department has inspected the elevated structure, signs, traffic markings, and safety equipment, and prepared staff and operation units for public assistance. On 26 August 2026, the Engineering Institute of Thailand under royal patronage (EIT), together with the Senate’s Transport Subcommittee and the Department of Highways, conducted a Road Safety Audit (RSA) to assess readiness before trial operation. Coordination with highway police, provincial police, rescue units, and local agencies has been arranged to manage traffic and provide 24-hour emergency assistance. During the trial, the department will monitor and evaluate safety, traffic management, user behavior, and system performance to improve operational efficiency.
The Department of Highways sets a speed limit of 80 km/h for four-wheel vehicles and 65 km/h for trucks and buses. Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles of all sizes, three-wheelers, and all types of wheeled skates are prohibited from using the M82 elevated motorway but may continue to use Rama 2 Road below normally.
Currently, civil construction on the M82 is approximately 98% complete. Remaining work will finish as planned by 2026. Installation of toll collection and traffic control systems is expected to begin in 2027, with full operation and toll collection targeted for 2029.
The Ministry of Transport urges the public to strictly follow signs, traffic markings, and staff instructions, and not to park on the elevated motorway or unauthorized areas. For information or emergencies, contact the Department of Highways hotline at 1586 press 82, available 24 hours, and follow traffic updates via DOH Highway Radio on the website highwaytraffic.go.th/radio.
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