M82 opens toll-free to Ban Phaeo around the clock from Aug 28
The Department of Highways will open the Bang Khun Thian-Ban Phaeo section toll-free around the clock, with four access points and speed limits in place
Department of Highways will open Motorway No. 82 (M82) from Bang Khun Thian through Ekkachai to Ban Phaeo for toll-free trial use around the clock from 10am on Friday, August 28.
Director-General Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn said civil construction on the elevated motorway project was 98% complete, leaving it ready for trial operations without toll charges.
Piyapong described the section currently being accelerated as 16.4 kilometres long.
Once opened for the trial, motorists will be able to travel continuously for about 25 kilometres from the southern Kanchanaphisek Ring Road, entering the elevated M82 above Rama II Road at Bang Khun Thian Interchange, passing Ekkachai and continuing to the end of the elevated route at Ban Phaeo.
From Ban Phaeo, motorists can continue along Highway No. 35, or Rama II Road, towards Samut Songkhram and Wang Manao Interchange in Pak Tho district of Ratchaburi, providing onward connections to other southern provinces.
Four access points open during trial
Four entry and exit points will be available during the free trial: Phanthai Norasing, Mahachai 1, Mahachai 2 and Ban Phaeo.
Samut Sakhon 1 and Samut Sakhon 2 will remain closed because construction is still under way.
The Department of Highways plans to complete the remaining civil works by the end of 2026.
Installation of the toll collection and traffic-control systems is expected to begin in 2027 and take about two years, with full operations and toll collection targeted for 2029.
Lower speed limits imposed during unfinished works
Piyapong said the civil works and motorway-standard safety systems were not yet fully complete, requiring temporary restrictions during the trial period.
Cars will be limited to a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour, while trucks and buses will be restricted to 65 km/h.
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles of all engine sizes, three-wheelers and all types of wheeled carts will be prohibited from using the elevated M82.
They may continue to use the ground-level lanes of Rama II Road as usual.
Piyapong said opening the Bang Khun Thian-Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo motorway would make journeys to the South more convenient, faster and safer while reducing travel times.
He added that the route would improve passenger and freight transport and logistics, supporting production, trade, investment and tourism in Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and other southern provinces.
