The Transport Ministry is preparing a New Year’s gift for 2027 by opening free, 24-hour access on the M6 Motorway from Bang Pa-in to Korat starting 25 December. It is also accelerating solutions to the M82 bottleneck and preparing to partially open the Rama 3 Expressway.
Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, said after reviewing progress and readiness of key road networks to facilitate travel and enhance safety during the year-end and New Year 2027 festival that the Transport Ministry has expedited key main road projects ready to open to the public soon. This is especially important during the New Year travel surge to help distribute traffic, reduce congestion, and improve travel convenience and safety. Progress includes three major projects:
The Department of Highways reported that the 196-kilometer M6 Motorway is 99.81% complete in civil works and 96.42% in systems. It will open for trial use free of charge along the entire route from 25 December 2026, 24 hours a day, helping to divert traffic from Phahonyothin and Mittraphap Roads, easing congestion toward the northeast before full operations and toll collection start in April 2027.
Currently, the Department of Highways has opened the 24.7-kilometer M82 Motorway for free, 24-hour trial use, improving travel convenience by avoiding traffic on Rama 2 Road. Mr. Pipat monitored the congestion issue at the Ban Phaeo exit, a bottleneck where the elevated road narrows from three lanes to one. He instructed the Department to expedite plans to expand this exit to two lanes to improve traffic flow and reduce buildup.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand reported 97.28% progress on the 18.70-kilometer project. The elevated section on Rama 2 Road is scheduled for trial opening in December 2026. Meanwhile, construction on the toll plaza section (contract 3) is being accelerated. Mr. Pipat aims to open the outbound route from Tosamran Bridge to M82 and Ban Phaeo by mid-2027 to help ease Rama 2 traffic, emphasizing that construction must adhere strictly to safety standards.
Mr. Pipat added that he has ordered all agencies to thoroughly check route readiness, including construction, safety systems, traffic signage, and public communication about the openings to allow travelers to plan safely and conveniently during the New Year festival. He will closely monitor and resolve any obstacles promptly to ensure the public benefits from the developed road networks as soon as possible.
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