Updated New Year 2026 Traffic Avoidance Routes: 5-Day Long Holiday Travel Planning

Save this now: The Highway Police have updated traffic avoidance routes for New Year 2026 from Bangkok to various regions during the 5-day long holiday. Plan ahead and allow extra travel time before departure to avoid congestion.

Those planning to relax or travel during the New Year 2026 festival will likely enjoy an extended vacation. This follows the Cabinet meeting on 12 Nov 2024, which approved... Friday, 2 January 2026, as an additional special public holiday.

This creates a continuous holiday from Wednesday, 31 Dec 2025, through Sunday, 4 Jan 2026, totaling 5 days off during the New Year festival. The extension aims to boost travel and positively impact tourism and the overall economy.

The 2026 New Year long holiday spans 5 days.

• Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
• Thursday, 1 January 2026.
• Friday, 2 January 2026 (an additional special public holiday) and a bank holiday.
• Saturday, 3 January 2026.
• Sunday, 4 January 2026.

For travelers, the Highway Police recommend alternative routes to avoid traffic jams as options from Bangkok to all regions—North, South, Northeast, and East—for smoother, safer travel. They also advise checking routes carefully before departure, allowing extra time, obeying traffic laws, and showing courtesy to fellow travelers, as follows.

Traffic avoidance routes for the Northbound route (Bangkok to Northern region).

• Eastern Ring Road (Highway P.9): turn left at Khlong Luang interchange, take Highway 3214 to Highway 347, then turn left at Bang Pahan intersection onto Highway 32 (Asian route).
• Western Ring Road (Highway P.9): turn left onto Taling Chan-Chai Nat Road (Highway 340), connect to Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1), turn left at Luang Pho O intersection (Highway 1) towards Nakhon Sawan Province.

Traffic avoidance routes for the Northeastbound route (Bangkok to Northeastern region).

• Phahonyothin Road: turn right at Phu Khae three-way intersection onto Phu Khae-Lom Sak Road (Highway 21), turn right at Muang Khom intersection onto Highway 2256 or turn left onto Highway 205 to connect to Highway 201 towards Chaiyaphum Province.
• Motorway M6 (Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima), 196 km, enter at Bang Pa-in tollgate leading to Korat city bypass.
• Bangkok to Chachoengsao route using Highway 304 (Phanom Sarakham-Kabin Buri-Wang Nam Khiao-Pak Thong Chai) heading towards Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
• Route from Bangkok to Sa Kaeo Province - Aranyaprathet - Ta Phraya - Non Daeng - Lahan Sai districts entering Buriram Province.

Traffic avoidance routes for the Eastbound route (Bangkok to Eastern region) heading towards Chonburi and Pattaya.

• Highway 7 (Motorway).
• Highway 304 passing through Min Buri - Nong Chok, leading to the Eastern region.
• Highway 34 (Thepharak Road) passing Bang Na - Bang Pakong, or use the Burapha Withi Expressway to reach the Eastern region.
• Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road).

Traffic avoidance routes for the Southbound route (Bangkok to Southern region).

• Highway 35 (Rama II Road).
• Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road).