Construction on a key stretch of the Rama II elevated motorway, spanning from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo in Samut Sakhon Province, is nearing completion, with authorities confirming that the public will be able to use the 25-kilometre route free of charge for up to three years, starting at the end of 2025. The project is part of Thailand’s broader strategy to improve road infrastructure and ease traffic on one of the country’s busiest routes.
According to a public statement from Pongkwin Choongroongruangkit, advisor to the Minister of Transport, the Department of Highways has reported significant progress on the construction of Motorway M82 — a six-lane elevated expressway on Highway 35 (Thonburi–Pak Tho route). The first phase, covering an 8.3-kilometre section from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai, is nearly complete, with all three segments reporting progress of between 99.5% and 100%.
The second phase of the project extends from Ekachai to Ban Phaeo, a distance of 16.4 kilometres. This section is currently around 78% complete and is scheduled to be finished by December 2025. Once both phases are operational, motorists will be able to use the entire 24.7-kilometre route without tolls until a private operator is appointed and toll collection begins in 2028.
The total budget for the motorway stands at 29.2 billion baht, with the second phase including four on-off ramps: Mahachai 2, Samut Sakhon 1, Samut Sakhon 2, and Ban Phaeo. The Ministry of Transport is also accelerating the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) process to select an operator to manage and maintain the road and toll system, aiming to finalize the deal in 2026 and begin full operations by 2028.
The project is part of a broader infrastructure policy driven by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who has prioritised major expressway expansions to reduce congestion and improve logistics in key economic corridors.
Officials from the Department of Highways and the Ministry of Transport have visited the construction sites and confirmed their commitment to completing the works and trial opening on schedule.
