Bang pa-in: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, conducted an inspection of the M6 motorway, which is expected to cut travel time to Nakhon Ratchasima by 1 hour and 30 minutes. The inspection took place at the Bang Pa-in interchange in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, focusing on traffic management and safety measures in preparation for the 2026 New Year's travel period.
According to Thai News Agency, the M6 Bang Pa-in - Nakhon Ratchasima expressway, extending 196 kilometers, will be available for trial service from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026. During the initial seven-day holiday period, the "Bang Pa-in - Pak Chong" section will accommodate outbound traffic from Bangkok. Traffic on this section will be permitted from December 26, 2025, at 00:01 until January 1, 2026, at 24:00, with a temporary closure scheduled for January 2, 2026, from 00:01 to 06:00 for direction switching. Only four-wheeled vehicles will be allowed, adhering to a speed limit of 80 km/h for safety.
Mr. Pipat highlighted that the use of the M6 route during the New Year period will reduce travel to Nakhon Ratchasima to approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from the previous 4 hours. The full completion of the Bang Pa-In - Nakhon Ratchasima motorway is anticipated by the end of 2026. As reported on December 28, 2025, the motorway has already accommodated over 130,000 vehicles.
Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaishal, Director-General of the Department of Highways, stated that the department has implemented a set of four-dimensional measures to support public travel from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026. These measures include maintaining road surfaces, lighting, traffic signals, and signs, alongside analyzing accident data to mitigate risks. The Department of Highways is coordinating with the Highway Police Division to enhance safety, setting up public service points, restoring road surfaces in construction areas, preparing emergency vehicles, waiving tolls on Motorways M7 and M9, and opening three motorways (M81, M82, and M6) for trial service. A reporting and incident management system is also in place for rapid response and emergency management.