The Cabinet has approved the exemption of toll fees on Expressways No. 7 and No. 9 to facilitate the public during the 2026 New Year period. The measure is expected to cause a revenue loss of 185.35 million baht but generate economic returns of 280.34 million baht.
On 23 December 2025, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet approved the principle of a draft ministerial regulation to exempt toll fees for vehicles using Expressways No. 7 and No. 9 during a specified period, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport.
The draft ministerial regulation exempts toll fees on Expressways No. 7 and No. 9 during the 2026 New Year festival, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport. It includes exemption on Expressway No. 7 from Bangkok to Ban Chang, covering sections from Bangkok to Pattaya city, including interchanges to National Highway No. 34 (Bang Wua), Chonburi, Laem Chabang Port, and Pattaya, as well as the section from Ban Nong Prue to Ban Chang with an interchange to National Highway No. 3 (Ban Amphoe). It also covers Expressway No. 9, the outer ring road of Bangkok (Kanchanaphisek Road), from Phra Pradaeng to Bang Khae, including the Phra Pradaeng to Bang Khun Thian interchange, and from Bang Pa-in to Bang Phli. The toll exemption applies from 00:01 on Tuesday, 30 December 2025 to 24:00 on Monday, 5 January 2026, totaling 7 days. This measure aims to resolve traffic problems and facilitate public travel on expressways during the New Year festival, supporting smoother traffic flow and reducing national energy consumption.
The toll waiver on Expressways No. 7 and No. 9 during the 2026 New Year holiday from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 will result in an estimated revenue loss of approximately 185.35 million baht for the toll revolving fund. However, it is expected to generate economic benefits valued at about 280.34 million baht, derived from savings in vehicle operating costs and travel time. Additional indirect benefits, which cannot be quantified in monetary terms, include increased spending by the public on other expenses due to toll fee savings and support for tourism. This is projected to stimulate an estimated circulation of 256 million baht in the national economy.