M82 Motorway opens for free trial on August 28, 2026

Matichon•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The Ministry of Transport will open the M82 motorway between Bang Khun Thian and Ban Phaeo for a free trial starting August 28, 2026.

•Phiphat Ratchakitprakan inspected the M82 motorway's readiness on August 24.
•The M82 route from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo will open for free trial use on August 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
•The motorway is expected to reduce travel time by at least 40 minutes for those traveling to Ban Phaeo.
•The free trial period is expected to last approximately 2 years.

Overview

•Phiphat Ratchakitprakan inspected three readiness points at the Samut Sakhon 1 exit, Tha Chin River Bridge, and Ban Phaeo exit.
•The Engineering Institute of Thailand Under Royal Patronage served as a consultant to ensure structural and safety readiness for the M82 motorway.
•Construction of the Samut Sakhon 1 and Samut Sakhon 2 exits is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
•The Rama 3-Dao Khanong-Outer Ring Road (West) connection is expected to be finished after New Year 2027, while the Rama 3 Double Deck project is expected by September 2027.
•The M82 motorway is expected to divert approximately 20% of the current 100,000 daily vehicles from Rama 2 Road.
•Speed limits are set at 80 km/h for 4-wheel vehicles and 65 km/h for vehicles with more than 4 wheels during the trial period.
•The Department of Highways will allocate additional budget for street lighting and reflective signs, expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
•Opening the M82 motorway aims to reduce traffic congestion on Rama 2 Road and support travel to the southern region.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Phiphat Ratchakitprakan

"August 28 will end the legend of Rama 2 Road, which has been under construction for decades; on the 28th, we have succeeded and will likely erase the image of the '7 generations road' that people talk about."

วันที่ 28 สิงหาคมนี้ จะเป็นการปิดตำนานของถนนพระราม 2 ซึ่งต้องบอกว่าเราก่อสร้างกันมานานหลายสิบปี และในวันที่ 28 นี้ ถือว่าเราได้ประสบความสำเร็จ คงจะลบภาพ ‘ถนน 7 ชั่วโคตร’ จากที่คนพูดถึง

Key Entities

Person

Phiphat Ratchakitprakan(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport.

Organization

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The government ministry overseeing the opening of the M82 motorway.

Department of Highways(กรมทางหลวง)

The agency managing the M82 motorway project and monitoring operations.

Engineering Institute of Thailand Under Royal Patronage(วิศวกรรมสถานแห่งประเทศไทย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์)

The consultant for the safety and engineering readiness of the M82 motorway.

Place

Intercity Motorway Number 82(ทางหลวงพิเศษระหว่างเมืองหมายเลข 82)

An elevated motorway route (M82) connecting Bang Khun Thian, Ekachai, and Ban Phaeo.

Rama 2 Road(ถนนพระราม 2)

The existing road that the M82 motorway aims to alleviate traffic from.

Bang Khun Thian(บางขุนเทียน)ℹ️

The starting point of the M82 motorway section.

Ban Phaeo(บ้านแพ้ว)

The destination point of the M82 motorway section.

Samut Sakhon(สมุทรสาคร)ℹ️

The location of the M82 motorway's first and second exits.

Tha Chin River(แม่น้ำท่าจีน)ℹ️

The river crossed by a bridge on the M82 motorway.

Rama 3(พระราม 3)

An area connected to the M82 through the Rama 3-Dao Khanong project and the Double Deck project.

Dao Khanong(ดาวคะนอง)ℹ️

A connection point for the motorway and the Double Deck project.