Thailand to open 196km M6 toll-free from December 25
Thailand plans free, round-the-clock use of the full M6 motorway from December 25, alongside M82 improvements and a partial Rama III expressway opening.
- The 196-kilometre M6 motorway (Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima) will open for a 24/7 toll-free trial period starting December 25, 2026.
- The opening is intended to ease traffic congestion for travelers heading to northeastern Thailand during the 2027 New Year holiday.
- Full commercial operations, including the collection of tolls, are scheduled to begin in April 2027, following the trial period.
Thailand plans to open the full 196-kilometre Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima motorway, known as M6, for free trial use around the clock from December 25, 2026, to ease traffic during the 2027 New Year holiday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry was accelerating preparations across three major road projects to spread traffic more evenly, reduce congestion and improve travel convenience and safety.
The preparations also cover improvements to the M82 motorway and a partial trial opening of the Rama III–Dao Khanong–Outer Ring Road Expressway.
“I have instructed all agencies to urgently check construction work, safety systems and traffic signs, and to inform the public about route openings in advance,” Phiphat said.
Phiphat said the checks and advance notices would help people plan convenient and safe New Year journeys. Problems would also be closely monitored and addressed so the public could benefit from the improved road network as soon as possible.
M6 toll collection scheduled for April 2027
The M6 trial will provide free access along the entire route every day, 24 hours a day. Full operations and toll collection are scheduled to begin in April 2027.
The Department of Highways reported that civil works on the M6 were 99.81% complete, while installation of its operating systems had reached 96.42%.
The M6 opening is intended to divert vehicles from Phahonyothin and Mittraphap roads, reducing congestion on journeys to northeastern Thailand.
M82 exit widening to address Ban Phaeo bottleneck
The 24.7-kilometre M82 motorway between Bang Khun Thian and Ban Phaeo is already open for free trial use around the clock, providing an alternative to traffic on Rama II Road.
Congestion remains a problem at the Ban Phaeo exit, where three lanes on the elevated motorway narrow to one. Phiphat instructed the Department of Highways to accelerate plans to widen the exit to two lanes, improving traffic flow and reducing queues.
Partial Rama III expressway trial planned for December
The elevated section above Rama II Road on the Rama III–Dao Khanong–Outer Ring Road Expressway is being prepared for a trial opening in December 2026.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand reported that the 18.70-kilometre project was 97.28% complete. Construction of the toll-plaza section under Contract 3 is being accelerated.
Phiphat is targeting mid-2027 for the outbound connection from Thotsamarachan Bridge through M82 to Ban Phaeo to open, helping relieve traffic on Rama II Road. He stressed that construction must meet safety standards.
