The Cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation to waive toll fees on Motorway No. 7 and Motorway No. 9 (Bang Pa-in–Bang Phli section) during the flood period from 26 to 29 September 2026.
On 3 November 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet approved the draft ministerial regulation to exempt vehicle toll fees on Motorway No. 7 and Motorway No. 9 within a specified period, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport. The Office of the Council of State has reviewed the draft and allowed it to proceed, and the Ministry of Transport will consider recommendations from the National Economic and Social Development Council for further action.
Ms. Ploytale stated that heavy and continuous rain since around 23 September 2026 caused flooding in Bangkok and its vicinity, disrupting people's travel. The toll exemption on Motorways No. 7 and No. 9 will facilitate travel and alleviate difficulties for the public. The exemption period is set from 12:00 p.m. on 26 September 2026 to 12:00 a.m. on 29 September 2026.
The Ministry of Transport has drafted a ministerial regulation exempting vehicle toll fees on Motorways No. 7 and No. 9 within the designated period (draft version ..) 2026. Key points include exempting tolls on Motorway No. 7 from Bangkok to Ban Chang, including sections Bangkok–Pattaya and connecting ramps to Highway No. 34 (Bang Wua), Chonburi, Laem Chabang Port, Pattaya, and the Ban Nong Prue–Ban Chang section connecting to Highway No. 3 (Ban Amphoe). It also covers Motorway No. 9, the Bangkok Outer Ring Road (Kanchanaphisek Road) from Bang Pa-in to Bang Phli during the 2026 flood from 12:00 p.m. on 26 September to 12:00 a.m. on 29 September.
“Under Section 27 of the State Fiscal Discipline Act B.E. 2561 (2018), the government will lose approximately 53.37 million baht in revenue. However, the toll exemption will generate economic benefits valued at about 90.32 million baht, calculated from savings on vehicle operating costs and travel time. It also includes indirect benefits that cannot be quantified financially, as people can spend the money saved from toll fees on other expenses, with an economic multiplier effect of approximately 1.38 times, equating to about 74 million baht in economic value,” Ms. Ploytale said.
The Office of the Council of State noted it has preliminarily reviewed the draft regulation, modifying its title from “Draft Ministerial Regulation on Exempting Vehicle Toll Fees on Motorways No. 7 and No. 9 within a Specified Period (Version ..) B.E. ....” to “Draft Ministerial Regulation on Exempting Vehicle Toll Fees on Motorways No. 7 and No. 9 within a Specified Period B.E. ....” and revised the explanatory notes accordingly. The Ministry of Transport (Department of Highways) has confirmed its approval of this draft regulation.