Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has mandated the initiation of a trial run for the elevated M82 Bang Khun Thian-Ekkachai section on October 22 as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion. During a recent site inspection, Mr. Pipat urged the contractor to expedite the remaining construction work while emphasizing the importance of maintaining maximum safety standards.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phiphat, accompanied by executives from the Ministry of Transport, assessed the progress of significant construction projects on Rama II Road. These include Motorway No. 82 (M82), the Bang Khun Thian – Ban Phaeo elevated road managed by the Department of Highways (DoH), and the Rama III – Dao Khanong – Western Outer Ring Road Expressway overseen by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT). These infrastructure developments are critical for improving travel to the southern regions.
Mr. Phiphat disclosed that the 8.3-kilometer section of Motorway No. 82 (M82) from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai has reached completion. A collaborative safety assessment conducted by the Department of Highways, the Expressway Authority of Thailand, the Engineering Institute of Thailand under Royal Patronage (EIT), and the Council of Engineers has determined the route’s readiness for public use. Consequently, the Department of Highways is set to open this route for trial use, toll-free, starting Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
The connected route offers access to the Kanchanaphisek Expressway network (Bang Phli – Suksawat), Motorway No. 9, Bangkok Outer Ring Road (Kanchanaphisek Road), Phra Pradaeng – Bang Khun Thian Interchange section, facilitating continuous travel on Motorway No. 82, Bang Khun Thian – Ban Phaeo Elevated Road, Bang Khun Thian – Ekkachai Interchange section. This development aims to mitigate traffic congestion on Rama II Road.
Additionally, Mr. Phiphat issued urgent directives to the Department of Highways and Expressway Authority of Thailand, stressing several key priorities:
1. Expedite Construction and Service Opening Plans: Accelerate the completion of remaining project sections to ensure they meet quality and compliance standards. The goal is to commence a trial run of the 16-kilometer Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo segment during the Songkran Festival in 2026, aiming for full project completion within that year.
2. Enhance Safety Standards: Prioritize public safety by implementing increased safety measures in high-risk areas, particularly the Tha Chin River bridge. Necessary safety nets should be installed, and all road surfaces, traffic signage, lighting, and safety equipment must be rigorously inspected.
3. Traffic Management Adjustments: To minimize public disruption during rush hour, consider delaying the closure of main traffic lanes for construction work from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with roads reopened by 5:30 AM.
4. Integrate Cooperation and Public Relations Efforts: Collaborate with provincial and local authorities to prevent redundant road closures. Enhance public relations efforts to reassure the public nationally that Rama II Road is being restored as “safe, reliable, and convenient for travel.”