BANGKOK, Thailand – The government is preparing to open two new motorway sections for free trial use later this month, giving motorists additional routes toward Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Sakhon while helping ease congestion on Mittraphap Road and Rama 2 Road. M6 Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong will begin free trial operations on Friday, Aug. 21, covering 110 kilometres. It will operate only on weekends, from noon Friday through midnight Sunday, continuing through the New Year 2027 holiday period. Only four-wheel vehicles will be allowed, with a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour.
Drivers can enter or exit through five interchanges: Bang Pa-in, Hin Kong, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek and Pak Chong. For traffic heading toward Bangkok, the Pak Chong–Muak Lek section remains under construction. Drivers from Pak Chong will therefore need to use Thanarat Road and Mittraphap Road to reach the Muak Lek interchange. The Thap Kwang rest area will provide toilets and drinks on both sides, but there will be no petrol station or EV charging facilities. Drivers are advised to check fuel and battery levels before entering the motorway. The M6 Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima bypass section will continue to operate free of charge every day, 24 hours a day.
Meanwhile, the M82 Bang Khun Thian–Ban Phaeo motorway will add a 16.4-kilometre section between Ekachai and Ban Phaeo from 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, allowing continuous travel along roughly 25 kilometres from Bang Khun Thian through Ekachai to Ban Phaeo. M82 will operate free of charge 24 hours a day and will accommodate cars, trucks and buses. Cars will be limited to 80 km/h, while trucks and buses will be limited to 65 km/h. Four interchanges will initially be open: Phanthai Norasing, Mahachai 1, Mahachai 2 and Ban Phaeo. Samut Sakhon 1 and Samut Sakhon 2 will remain closed.
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, three-wheel vehicles and other wheeled vehicles are prohibited from using the elevated M82 section for safety reasons. Government spokeswoman Lalida Periswivatana said the two motorways may both be free, but their operating conditions are different. Travellers should check the opening days, operating hours, available interchanges and permitted vehicle types before setting out.
The M6 is expected to reduce traffic pressure on Mittraphap Road, the main route to Thailand’s Northeast, while M82 will provide another option along the heavily congested Rama 2 corridor linking Bangkok with Samut Sakhon. Further travel information is available from the Department of Highways hotline 1586, operating 24 hours a day.
