The Thai motorway network (th:ทางหลวงพิเศษระหว่างเมือง) is an intercity motorway network that currently spans 145 kilometers. It is to be greatly extended to 4154.7 kilometers according to the master plan.
Thailand's motorway network is considered to be separate from Thailand's expressway network (Expressway of Thailand), which is the system of usually elevated expressways within Greater Bangkok. Thailand also has a provincial highway network.
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Overview
The Thai highway network spans over 70,000 kilometers across all regions of Thailand. These highways, however, are often dual carriageways with frequent u-turn lanes and intersections slowing down traffic. Coupled with the increase in the number of vehicles and the demand for a limited-access motorway, the Thai Government issued a Cabinet resolution in 1997 detailing the motorway construction master plan. Some upgraded sections of highway are being turned into a "motorway", while other motorways are being purpose-built.
1st and 2nd stage expressways in Bangkok
- 1st stage expressway, also Chalerm Maha nakorn Expessway:
This project has a total distance of approximately 27.1 kilometers, which was constructed from the year 1981 to 1987 by the Expressway Authority of Thailand(EXAT). Chalerm Maha nakorn Expressway, the First Stage Expressway system (FES), connects the center of Bangkok to outer districts in three directions as follows:
Eastward to Bang Na - Trad Road which is the eastern gate to deep sea ports on the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand; and the route to Suvarnabhumi Airport, new Bangkok International Airport. It will be opened for service in 2006.
Southwestward to Dao Kanong and on to Thonburi-Paktho which also leads to Petchkasem Road, the only road heading to the Southern region of Thailand
Northward to exit at Din Daeng on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, which is the route leading to the Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang Airport).
- 2nd stage expressway also Si Rat Expressway:
Si Rat Expressway, The Second Stage Expressway System (SES), is the first large-scale construction project in Thailand which was created through the cooperation between the public and private sectors as a BTO contract (Build-Transfer-Operate) among the EXAT and Bangkok Expressway Plc.(BECL) for 30 years with a view to alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Si Rat Expressway is constructed as an elevated 6 traffic lane expressway for a total length of approximately 38.5 kilometers, connecting the upper areas of Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani at Chaeng Watthana Road to the central area of Bangkok at New Rama 9 Road and also extending to the southern area of Bangkok at Bangkhlo. The service areas are divided into Urban and Suburban networks.
Sector A is a route between Ratchadapisek Road at Prachachuen to Rama 9 Road for a total distance of approximately 12.4 kilometers whereby this Sector was open for service on 2 September 1993. This route starts from Ratchadapisek Road southward to cut across the northern railway at Phaholyothin warehouse parallel to Rama 4 Road to pass Pradipat Road, Ratchavithee Road and to connect to Sector B at Payathai Interchange.
The eastward route connects to the Chalerm Maha nakorn Expressway at Makkasan Interchange to cut across Ratchadapisek Road and ends at Rama 9 Road.
Sector B is a route between Samsen Water Refinement Plant and Bangkhlo, continuing from Sector A at Phayathai Interchange heading southward to connect to the Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressway at Bangkhlo Interchange, for a total distance of approximately 9.4 kilometers. Since the opening of Sector B for service in the month of October 1996, there has been an inner ring road in the heart of the city, thereby successfully alleviating the traffic problems around Sathorn, Silom, Surawong and Hua Lampong, the business centers of the city.
Sector C is a route in the suburban network continuing from Sector A at Ratchadapisek Road around Prachachuen heading northward up to Chaeng Watthana Road for a distance of 8 kilometers and connecting with Udon Ratthaya Expressway. This Sector and Sector A were open simultaneously on 2 September 1993 whereby this Sector rapidly alleviates the traffic flow from the inner and outer areas of the city.
Sector D is a route from Rama 9 Road to Sri Nakharindra Road with a route extending from Sector A at Rama 9 Road eastward to cut across Ramkhamhaeng Road to end at Srinakharindra Road for a total distance of approximately 8.7 kilometers. The first stage from Rama 9 Road to Ramkhamhaeng Road was opened for service in December, 1998 and the second stage from Ramkhamhaeng Road to Srinakharindra Road was opened for service in March, 2000. This route connects Bangkok-Chonburi Road (Motorway) by Srinakharindra flyover which enables those motorists simply heading for Suvarnabhumi International Airport (New Bangkok International Airport) and/or to travel to eastern provinces more easily and fast. In addition, this route connects Chalong Rat Expressway (Ramindra – At Narong Expressway) at Rama 9 Road which enables the motorists to go to Ramindra Road, Pattanakarn Road, and Sukhumvit Road.
Routes
Motorway route 7
Motorway route 7 stretches all the way from Sri Nakharin Road in Bangkok, passes Motorway route 9 (Kanchanaphisek Road), Suvarnabhumi Airport towards Pattaya nearly 150 kilometers. With separately into 2 sections. The toll section has 8 exit and/or interchange ramps, namely, Rom Klao, Lat Krabang, Bang Kwai, Bang Bo, Bang Pakong, Phan Thong, Chonburi, and Bang Phra. There is also a rest station and highway police center at Km 50. The free section of this route (former highway route 36) towards Pattaya is completed. There are also highway widening projects aimed at increasing the capacity of this route to 8-lanes. Currently, sections of this route from Sri Nakharin Road to Chonburi are 8-lanes wide.
Motorway route 9 (Outer Ring Road, Kanchanaphisek)
Motorway route 9 also known as the Outer Ring Road or Kanchanaphisek Road is a limited-access highway or motorway that links the outer fringes of Greater Bangkok. The eastern and southern route is toll section, which extends from Bang Pa-In through Lam Lukka, Ram Inthra, and met Motorway route 7 at Thap Chang interchange. The southern section of this motorway was completed in November 2007 which joined Bang Na-Trat Highway (Route 34) and Rama II Highway (Route 35). A project to widen the currently 4-lane motorway to 8 lanes is in progress. Thailand now has 2 operational motorways.
The western route is free section, which extends from RamaII Road (Route 35) at Bang Khun Thien through Bang Khae, Chim Phli, Bang Yai, Bang Bua Thong, Pathum Thani, Sam Khok and met Phahon Yothin highway (Route 1) at Pratunam Phra-In interchange.
Tolls
All expressways and sections of motorway in Thailand are tolled (Don Muang Tollway) as well as free.
Construction projects
Motorway Master Plan
Motorway route 5
Motorway route 5 5 designates the motorways heading North, which is the equivalent of Highway route 1. According to the Intercity Motorways Office, Motorway route 5 will stretch 755.6 kilometers towards Chiang Rai passing through Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Chiang Mai. Currently, there are plans to convert sections of an existing highway into this motorway route but construction plans are still vague.
Motorway route 6
Motorway route 6 6 designates the motorways heading Northeast, which is the equivalent of Highway route 2 2. This route is supposed to stretch from the Outer Ring Road or Motorway route 9 towards Nong Khai totaling a distance of 535.5 kilometers. This route is to pass Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen before reaching Nong Khai. Realistically, however, the section between the Outer Ring Road and Nakhon Ratchasima seem the likeliest to be built first.
Motorway route 7
Motorway route 7 7 designates the motorways heading East, which is the equivalent of sections of Highway route 3 3. This motorway has been recently extended by about 100 kilometers to reach Pattaya and the master plan indicates a desire to extend the route all the way to Chantaburi via Rayong, or 291.9 kilometers from Bangkok.
Motorway route 8
Motorway route 8 8 designates the motorways heading South, which is the equivalent of sections of Highway route 3 3 and Highway route 4 4. The master plan indicates that this route is to be extended from the Outer Ring Road towards Songkhla. It is also the longest route, totaling 951.4 kilometers. Currently, due to heavy congestion on main highway towards the South, the plan to build a section of this motorway from the Outer Ring Road towards Cha Am in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is steadily heading forward.
See also
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