Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Traffic moved smoothly on the M6 motorway as the route officially opened its full length for the first time on Friday. Drivers benefited from a toll-free experience, with the offer lasting until January 5 next year. The opening aims to alleviate congestion on the Mittraphap Highway during the busy New Year holiday period.

 

The M6 motorway stretches 196 kilometers from Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya province to Nakhon Ratchasima province. The initiative by the Department of Highways allows only four-wheel vehicles on the new route. To ensure safety, a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour is enforced.

 

This development comes as officials anticipate heavy traffic during the upcoming holiday season. By providing an alternative route, the Department of Highways hopes to ease the usual congestion seen on the Mittraphap Highway. Travelers have welcomed the move, with many expressing relief at the prospect of a smoother journey.

 

Experts see the free travel period as a strategic measure to test the motorway's capacity and effectiveness.Officials will closely monitor traffic patterns and collect data to improve future transportation planning. The smooth opening day traffic is a promising indicator of the motorway’s potential to improve travel efficiency.

 

Looking ahead, authorities will evaluate the impact of the M6 on traffic flow and make adjustments post-holiday season. If successful, similar initiatives could be rolled out across other parts of the country to address highway congestion. Motorists are advised to adhere to regulations and speed limits to ensure continued safety and efficiency on the route, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

• The M6 motorway is open and toll-free until January 5.
• It aims to reduce congestion on Mittraphap Highway during New Year.
• Authorities will assess the motorway’s impact on traffic flow.

 

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Thai Actor ‘Dong-Deng’ in ICU Following Serious Motorway Crash in Nakhon Ratchasima

Supercar convoy causes major delays on M6 motorway

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-26

 

 

 

Won't be many sticking to the 80kmph speed limit that's for sure!

 

Absolutely no chance of it being 'enforced'

7 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Won't be many sticking to the 80kmph speed limit that's for sure!

 

Absolutely no chance of it being 'enforced'

 

Surely speed cameras will be added.  Though I'd check Gmaps to see what the time difference is, although I can't imagine it not being faster.

 

An aside, went to Kanchanaburi from Krung Thep, and M8 open & free trial period, but considerably slower than 'local' roads, which we took, as still a few construction bottlenecks per Gmap, at time we traveled.

9 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Won't be many sticking to the 80kmph speed limit that's for sure!

 

Absolutely no chance of it being 'enforced'

80 clicks per hour? Wth. Even the regular four-lane road underneath has higher speed limits.

This is nice to see. The country always seems to be optimistic and moving forward with something. 

Will any Brit or Eurotrash climate activists be glueing themselves to this highway?  One can only hope. 

An off topic post trolling about Nana plaza has been removed.

Anyone know how long it took to build?

1 hour ago, pegman said:

Anyone know how long it took to build?

 

... " The project was conceived in 1997 as part of the national highway network master plan (and one of three segments serving the northeast region), but construction only began in 2016. It was originally scheduled for completion in 2020, and construction was reported to be 96 percent complete by then,[4] but the project faced delays due to outdated information from surveys conducted since 2008, necessitating modifications to the designs and extensions of the budget. By 2022, it was expected to open in 2025,[5][1] though full opening has since been pushsed back to at least 2026.[6] The section between Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima was opened for persistent trial use in June 2024,[7] following earlier special trial openings during the New Year's and Songkran festivals." ...

19 hours ago, MarcelV said:

80 clicks per hour? Wth. Even the regular four-lane road underneath has higher speed limits.

I think Thai traffic regulations limit speed to 80kmh due to safety reasons "until the roadway is declared fully operational/fully open."  So, until the motorway is declared fully operational I expect the 80kmh speed limit will remain.

 

Don't obstruct traffic by driving 80 km/h 😁

Hardly anyone sticks to that limit. And it's no crime to do 120 which would be the speed after completion.

But then will have working speed cams.

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

construction only began in 2016

That matches my memories.

The concrete elevated road gave shadow for years when I drove below.

Sometimes premature signage not covered and I drive up a ramp to Bang Pa-In. Stupid I am 🤣

I think I will search my photos to find the earliest.

 

In November the planned toll station off from highway 201 was still not completed.

One of the bigger works to be done. Free ride because there are no toll stations.

 

And along the way only primitive containers for taking a pee. No shops,  nothing. Not a bottle of water to buy.

 

 

 

24 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

That matches my memories.

The concrete elevated road gave shadow for years when I drove below.

Sometimes premature signage not covered and I drive up a ramp to Bang Pa-In. Stupid I am 🤣

I think I will search my photos to find the earliest.

 

In November the planned toll station off from highway 201 was still not completed.

One of the bigger works to be done. Free ride because there are no toll stations.

 

And along the way only primitive containers for taking a pee. No shops,  nothing. Not a bottle of water to buy.

 

I was going state about 10 years, (thought I'd check first) as remember it under construction when prepping to leave Udon Thani and thinking, when using the shade ourselves, if we ever return, the drive will be a lot easier when that thing is done.

According to other information it’s only been opened one way heading towards Korat and after a 6 hour closure the direction of travel reversed in time for post holiday traffic heading back to bang pa in . So not both carriageways simultaneously. Except for the section between Pak Chong and Korat which has been opened both ways for a couple of years or so now. Used it multiple times - ignore the 80 kmph limit - everyone does - there are no cameras.