Introduction to the New Inter-city Motorways - 3 Routes

    Inter-city motorways are of paramount importance to the transportation system of the country as they are the main infrastructural system that promotes and supports national development. They facilitate the distribution of prosperity to all regions, as well as the development of cities in each region, and enhance the country's economic capacity for sustainable future growth.  

     The Department of Highways has thus adopted a policy to develop the inter-city motorway infrastructure to upgrade inter-regional travel to be more convenient, faster, and safer. It can connect the travel network between regions seamlessly. In the immediate phase, the Department of Highways has expedited the development of 3 new inter-city motorway routes, which are:

     1. Inter-City Motorway No. 9 (M9), the outer ring road of Bangkok on the west side, covering the Bang Khun Thian - Bang Bua Thong - Bang Pa-in route, with an approximate distance of 70 kilometers. This project is divided into 2 phases:

• • The first phase involves the construction of an elevated 6-lane highway along the western outer ring road of Bangkok or Kanchanapisek Road, from Bang Khun Thian to Bang Bua Thong. The project is a public-private partnership, with construction expected to start in 2025 - 2027 and services expected to commence in 2028.
  • The second phase involves the improvement of the existing western outer ring road of Bangkok, from Bang Bua Thong to Bang Pa-in, to a ground-level 6-lane motorway. Currently, the Department of Highways is proposing a mid-term loan plan for the 5-year period from 2024 to 2028, aiming to start construction in 2025.

     The Inter-City Motorway No. 9, the outer ring road of Bangkok on the west side, will be a crucial network that will facilitate seamless travel and transportation between Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. It will also connect with Inter-City Motorway No. 81 (M81) route Bang Yai - Kanchanaburi, and Inter-City Motorway No. 6 (M6) route Bang Pa-in - Nakhon Ratchasima.

     2. The Inter-City Motorway Project No.5, Elevated Motorway Uthong - Rangsit - Bang Pa-in Section (M5). This entails the construction of an elevated highway from Rangsit to Bang Pa-in, situated in the median strip of Phahon Yothin Road, comprising 6 lanes. This project is being pursued in a PPP Gross Cost format and it is anticipated that construction will commence in 2025 and conclude by 2027, with the highway expected to open to traffic in 2028.

     This project aims to alleviate traffic issues on Phahon Yothin Road and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and will facilitate interconnections with other inter-city motorways. It is designed to enhance the capacity to accommodate and connect travel from the heart of Bangkok to the upper-central, northern, and northeastern regions of Thailand comprehensively.

     3. The Inter-City Motorway Project No.8, Nakhon Pathom - Cha-Am Section - Nakhon Pathom - Pak Tho (M8). This is a plan for the construction of a 4-lane motorway. Currently, it is in the process of proposing a medium-term loan plan for 5 years (2024-2028). Once completed, this project will be able to accommodate travel and goods transportation between Bangkok, metropolitan areas, and various provinces in the western and southern regions of the country. This will provide a relief to traffic on Highway No.4 (Petchkasem Road) and Highway No.35 (Rama II Road), offering another alternative for travel to the southern region.

Source: The office of secretary of the Department of Highways
Tel. +66 2354 6668
For more information