New Highway Out Of Pattaya.

[vickersvc10]

I wonder whether the Pattaya to Ekamai/Morchit bus services will use the new road?

[Danlo]

Wish they would get on with the Jomtien road a bit faster.

Any news on when it will be finished ??

[NanLaew]

I don't know about you but if there's a professional film team out there making a movie, I would say that it's not open yet.

But as they say in Thailand, 'Up to you.'

I don't know about you also,but as far as i remember you are staying very far from Pattaya isn't it?

By the way ever heard about a temporary closure of a road due to circumstances e.g. making of a movie?

Where I live has no relevance and I have been in-an-out of Pattaya 3 times in the past coupla weeks, do my own driving so not talking out of a hole in my arse completely. The Sukhumvit end looks 'open' but when the concrete barriers remained at the Rayong intersection end, I pretty much sussed out that it was not open yet.

You can't temporarily close something that hasn't been opened yet. That's just plain silly.

Right now you darksiders are getting a huge woody when driving in and out of town on the new spur because you think you are the first one in on a big secret. If you want a clue as to when it's actually open, watch for tour buses and sip-lors... lot's of 'em, using the Sukhumvit entrance ramp. Then you will know it's open. Right now it's the odd car and pickup driving up there with the either the deer-in-the-headlights look (local driver) or the sh!t eating grin (farang knowitall).

As mentioned before, once it's open AND the tollbooths are working, the post count from the darkside tribes is going to go through the roof.

Edited March 27, 2010 by NanLaew

[endlessimage]

I don't know about you but if there's a professional film team out there making a movie, I would say that it's not open yet.

But as they say in Thailand, 'Up to you.'

I don't know about you also,but as far as i remember you are staying very far from Pattaya isn't it?

By the way ever heard about a temporary closure of a road due to circumstances e.g. making of a movie?

Where I live has no relevance and I have been in-an-out of Pattaya 3 times in the past coupla weeks, do my own driving so not talking out of a hole in my arse completely. The Sukhumvit end looks 'open' but when the concrete barriers remained at the Rayong intersection end, I pretty much sussed out that it was not open yet.

You can't temporarily close something that hasn't been opened yet. That's just plain silly.

Right now you darksiders are getting a huge woody when driving in and out of town on the new spur because you think you are the first one in on a big secret. If you want a clue as to when it's actually open, watch for tour buses and sip-lors... lot's of 'em, using the Sukhumvit entrance ramp. Then you will know it's open. Right now it's the odd car and pickup driving up there with the either the deer-in-the-headlights look (local driver) or the sh!t eating grin (farang knowitall).

As mentioned before, once it's open AND the tollbooths are working, the post count from the darkside tribes is going to go through the roof.

Use it at least twice daily. Plenty of tour buses using it.

Edited March 27, 2010 by endlessimage

[Mattd]

The road did officially open late on Wednesday (24th) and then was temporarily closed for the 26th for the film crew.

I drive past this at least twice a day and watched them removing the concrete barriers in the Pattaya bound lane on Wednesday afternoon.

Also spoke with somebody saying they cut the ribbon on the Sukhumvit entrance that evening.

Friday was just traffic cones and a policeman blocking it.

Regarding the toll, I think you may find it becomes a toll road all the way to BKK if you take the motorway, this as far as I am aware has been the plan all along.

Edited March 27, 2010 by Mattd

[dsfbrit]

Thought I would give this a try out on the way back from Carrefour at 10.30 am. Went up the ramp from the Sukhumvit between Central Pattaya and North Pattaya no trouble at all. Then where it joins the road by the railway line it was shut off and the police were directing us all to use the railway road. That movie must be a real blockbuster!

[xminator]

Wish they would get on with the Jomtien road a bit faster.

Any news on when it will be finished ??

Looked like they moved the traffic to the other side during last week, so there is progress.

[basjke]

The road did officially open late on Wednesday (24th) and then was temporarily closed for the 26th for the film crew.

I drive past this at least twice a day and watched them removing the concrete barriers in the Pattaya bound lane on Wednesday afternoon.

Also spoke with somebody saying they cut the ribbon on the Sukhumvit entrance that evening.

Friday was just traffic cones and a policeman blocking it.

Regarding the toll, I think you may find it becomes a toll road all the way to BKK if you take the motorway, this as far as I am aware has been the plan all along.

Can you please PM NanLaew with this info.

Edited March 27, 2010 by basjke

[PattayaParent]

Came back from Bangkok yesterday morning and the entrance was closed on the inbound side with no traffic along the outbound side.

[thaihome]

There are no tollbooths south of Chonburi, nor do I believe is there ever any intent to install them. Note that the section of Hiway 7 north of Chonburi, referred to as the Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway is a true limited access that you pay for the privilege of driving on whereas the section south of Chonburi is not limited access and is a state funded road.

TH

[NanLaew]

The road did officially open late on Wednesday (24th) and then was temporarily closed for the 26th for the film crew.

I drive past this at least twice a day and watched them removing the concrete barriers in the Pattaya bound lane on Wednesday afternoon.

Also spoke with somebody saying they cut the ribbon on the Sukhumvit entrance that evening.

Friday was just traffic cones and a policeman blocking it.

Regarding the toll, I think you may find it becomes a toll road all the way to BKK if you take the motorway, this as far as I am aware has been the plan all along.

Can you please PM NanLaew with this info.

Came back from Bangkok yesterday morning and the entrance was closed on the inbound side with no traffic along the outbound side.

basjke! it's CLOSED!!!!

[basjke]

The road did officially open late on Wednesday (24th) and then was temporarily closed for the 26th for the film crew.

I drive past this at least twice a day and watched them removing the concrete barriers in the Pattaya bound lane on Wednesday afternoon.

Also spoke with somebody saying they cut the ribbon on the Sukhumvit entrance that evening.

Friday was just traffic cones and a policeman blocking it.

Regarding the toll, I think you may find it becomes a toll road all the way to BKK if you take the motorway, this as far as I am aware has been the plan all along.

Can you please PM NanLaew with this info.

Came back from Bangkok yesterday morning and the entrance was closed on the inbound side with no traffic along the outbound side.

basjke! it's CLOSED!!!!

Or you are an analphabetic so you can't read and understand Mattd's post or you are a concrete head and just want to argue about something you lost already but don't want to admit.I guess it is the latter.

Edited March 29, 2010 by basjke

[NanLaew]

Now now bas, no need to call names and what's this thing about losing? You're not still on about the war are you?

When I LAST drove north on it around 8pm on the 22nd, those lanes were 'open' but I did meet several wrong way drivers. However, the south lane lanes still had the large concrete barriers 'closing' the entrance and some cars still squeezed through the gap between the last block and the drainage ditch so they considered it open.

Now, despite reputable reports of 'ribbon cutting' ceremonies and seeing tour buses on it, when police stop you and redirect you as has been reliably reported, or when someone specifically reports that it was closed on the 29th, what makes you think that it's open?

Answers on a postcard please...

[Mattd]

Calm down gents, it is only a road!

The film making continues, hence it is closed until they are done, when that is, who knows.

[farangpattaya]

Sunday, 28-3-2010 2 p.m.: Took the exit on Sukhumvit, and used the overpass. No problem.

After approx. 300 mtr there were traffic cones and the traffic was diverted onto the railway bypass.

Why not close the road on Sukhumvit........this action caused a lot of traffic on the railway bypass.

[Mattd]

Gents,

FYI - This morning the Pattaya bound carriageway was fully open and traffic was flowing nicely down there. (From where HW 36 joins HW 7)

There was not too much traffic coming from the direction of Pattaya, so not sure if this bit was open or not, but it certainly was from the Nongprue junction onwards, as my colleague drove down it and reports there were cars already on it.

The movie makers had gone, but left remnants of their time, in the way of a smashed up car on the side of the road!

[monty]

Can confirm, the new part is fully open, all concrete barriers are gone and the temporary barriers for the film crew have gone as well.

Traffic was flowing on both directions.

[raro]

pheewww....hope our contenders had some chill pills in the meantime...

[moo9]

So it is open now for sure? Then I will try tonight on my way back!

[dsfbrit]

yes definitely open. We came back to banglamung via this new road and came off at the Regents School. Nice stretch of road and cuts off the dreadful drive down the Sukhumvit, so may use it a lot in future even though its a few Kilometres further than via the Sukhumvit.

[Phil Conners]

Piss-annoyed it can't be used between Nongprue and Sukhumvit

[NanLaew]

Can confirm, the new part is fully open, all concrete barriers are gone and the temporary barriers for the film crew have gone as well.

Traffic was flowing on both directions.

Thanks monty. With the barriers removed from BOTH ends, I would assume that is is now really open versus the "officially open" or the "temporarily closed but open to me" of the best part of page 2 of this blather.

Now, should the tollbooth and local access complaints be continued in this thread despite it's title clearly commenting on destinations further than the "dark side" or should new threads be initiated as this dynamic transportation situation rapidly evolves?

[Rimmer]

So if I just want to go on it for the ride to see what it is like, how far do I have to go up the new road before I can do a U turn and come back? Or will I get put on the motorway and end up in Bangkok?

[Phil Conners]

First chance to get off is at the Banglamung-Rayong highway.

[Rimmer]

First chance to get off is at the Banglamung-Rayong highway.

Thanks Phil, so I can come off at the Rayong Highway spur then take the 331 straight down to the Phoenix road and into the back way of Ban Ampur right? Make a nice little drive, I'll load up the wife and give it a go

[moo9]

Took it yesterday, nice drive. I spotted 2 Exits before Sukhumvit, one is about here 12.948442,100.936178 copy this to Googlemaps and the second goes to the Eastern side of the new "Railway Road". However I think you can only enter from Sukkhumvit when heading to BKK.

Check it again tonight.

[monty]

Took it yesterday, nice drive. I spotted 2 Exits before Sukhumvit, one is about here 12.948442,100.936178 copy this to Googlemaps and the second goes to the Eastern side of the new "Railway Road". However I think you can only enter from Sukkhumvit when heading to BKK.

Check it again tonight.

Going towards Bangkok you can enter from Sukhumvit, the railroad road (Southbound part, but if going North you can do a u-turn very close to the highway entrance) and then in Nong Prue from Soi Chayapornviti road.

If going Bkk direction there is only one exit and that is at the railway road...Next is the main HW 7/HW 36 exchange

Going into Pattaya you can only get on at the HW7/HW36 exchange, close to the Regents school. You can enter from all 3 directions, i.e. 36 coming from Rayong, 7 coming from Bkk and 36 coming from Sukhumvit road.

[basjke]

Going towards Bangkok you can enter from Sukhumvit, the railroad road (Southbound part, but if going North you can do a u-turn very close to the highway entrance) and then in Nong Prue from Soi Chayapornviti road.

If going Bkk direction there is only one exit and that is at the railway road...Next is the main HW 7/HW 36 exchange

Going into Pattaya you can only get on at the HW7/HW36 exchange, close to the Regents school. You can enter from all 3 directions, i.e. 36 coming from Rayong, 7 coming from Bkk and 36 coming from Sukhumvit road.

Today I discovered that in fact here is a Nongprue exit when going direction Bangkok,only we stupid farangs are not aware of it.However when I drove to Bangkok this morning I saw the car in front of me taking the exit.

Let me explain.

When going in the direction Bkk come to a complete standstill on the left hand stroke of the highway under the bridge that carries Soi Chayapornviti over the highway.Proceed with putting the car in first gear and making a 180 degree turn onto the highway entrance hereby making sure that you block all traffic that want to enter the highway.As the have erected a small concrete barrier to prevent cars from making this manoeuvre it is impossible to make the turn in one movement.

Never mind,just put some more lifes at risk with moving forward and backwards untill you are on the entrance in the wrong direction.Then drive about 100 meters against traffic flow and repeat your previous life threatening manoeuvre in a similar way to enter the road that runs parrallel with the highway.

As I have explained clearly there is in fact an exit which we don't know about but I have seen with my own eyes that it exists.

P.s.: I hope they never make me a traffic cop in this country because I can assure that I would need to reload my weapon several times a day.

[andyww]

I must be being thick. I could probably drive from Pattaya to BKK with my eyes closed but cant imagine whwre this new road goes.

Normally, I go up Sukhumvit for a bit, turn right where the sign points to Rayong but then bear left, carry on until the sign says "motorway", get on it then almost there.

What advantage does the new road give? I guess I need a map really, and no maps will show it yet, presumably.

[monty]

I must be being thick. I could probably drive from Pattaya to BKK with my eyes closed but cant imagine whwre this new road goes.

Normally, I go up Sukhumvit for a bit, turn right where the sign points to Rayong but then bear left, carry on until the sign says "motorway", get on it then almost there.

What advantage does the new road give? I guess I need a map really, and no maps will show it yet, presumably.

Easy. from central Pattaya (Foodland) entering and driving down Sukhumvit towards where you turn of (at the Rayong sign) you would pass about 6 or 7 traffic lights and the distance is roughly 9 km.

Then you drive another 6.5 km on the 36 highway where you will then enter highway nr.7 (motorway) to Bangkok. On a bad day, traffic and unlucky with traffic lights this might take 30 minutes. Even in the middle of the night and ignoring the traffic lights it will take you 10 minutes.

Now, if you take the new road, coming from foodland you'll pass 2 traffic lights (Central Pattaya and Soi Saim Country club), then you hit the new highway which runs exactly 8 km till the point where you hit the motorway to Bangkok...

I have attached a google earth screen shot, the yellow line is the trip Andyww takes, the red line is the new highway. The blue circle is foodland, the red circle is where you actually enter the nr. 7 highway to Bangkok...

A fair bit faster I can assure you, especially during peak traffic times where the part from north Pattaya to just after Naklua can take a little while!

Once you exit Sukhumvit and onto the new highway, you have no traffic lights and 3 lanes...