Starting tomorrow (21 Aug 2026), the M6 Motorway section from Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong will be open for free trial use every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The goal is to offer free access 24 hours a day after New Year 2570. Drivers are urged to strictly follow traffic safety regulations.
On 20 August 2026, Ms. Ploytale Lakshamee Saengchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that under the government’s Quick Win policy to alleviate short-term living costs, especially travel expenses for citizens, the government through the Department of Highways, Ministry of Transport, has expedited efforts. The intercity expressway project number 6, or “M6 Motorway,” on the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima route, is being prepared to open an additional trial service for the Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong section. This allows people to travel continuously from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima province, reducing travel costs for road users traveling from Bangkok or its metropolitan area to Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima more quickly. It also helps relieve traffic congestion on Mittraphap Road during festivals or long holidays.
Ms. Ploytale stated, the Department of Highways, Ministry of Transport, is ready to launch a trial service on the M6 Motorway section from Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong, covering 110 kilometers, without toll fees. This aims to facilitate travel for the public and accommodate traffic volume during weekends, and the route will be open every Friday from 12:00 noon until Sunday at midnight, starting Friday, 21 August 2026, and continuing weekly until the New Year 2570 holiday period. The Department of Highways aims to eventually open the entire route for free use 24 hours a day.
Regarding the use of the M6 section from Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting 21 August 2026, the details are as follows:
1. Outbound from Bangkok, drivers can use the M6 from Bang Pa-in toll gate to exit at Pak Chong toll gate onto Thanarat Road, or continue directly to the Nakhon Ratchasima city bypass road comfortably.
2. Inbound to Bangkok, due to ongoing construction on the inbound side between Pak Chong and Muak Lek, travelers from Pak Chong must use Thanarat Road and Mittraphap Road to reach Muak Lek toll gate to access the M6 heading towards Bangkok.
3. The entry and exit points available are Bang Pa-in toll gate, Hin Kong toll gate, Kaeng Khoi toll gate, Muak Lek toll gate, and Pak Chong toll gate (Note: entering M6 at Pak Chong toll gate allows travel only toward Sikhio or Nakhon Ratchasima city).
4. There are two rest stops available, namely the Thap Kwang rest area at kilometer 65 on both inbound and outbound sides, offering restrooms and beverages but no gas stations or electric vehicle charging points.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson added at the end, “We ask all road users to strictly follow traffic signs and staff instructions to ensure travel safety. Please monitor official updates on schedules, entry-exit points, route usage, and facilities via the Department of Highways and Ministry of Transport's communication channels continuously to receive accurate information and plan trips conveniently and safely. For route information or to report emergencies on highways, citizens can call the Department of Highways hotline at 1586, available 24 hours.”
(Illustration courtesy of the Department of Highways)