Thai motorway network

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. The second Thaksin government included the motorway masterplan as part of the government's "megaprojects" scheme to boost investment in Thailand's infrastructure to bring it to world class standards.

Thailand's motorway network is considered to be separate from Thailand's expressway network (), which is the system of usually elevated expressways within Greater Bangkok. Thailand also has a provincial highway network.

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.

Routes

Motorway route 7

Motorway route TNR|7 stretches all the way from Sri Nakharin Road in Bangkok, passes Motorway route TNR|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 Suvarnabhumi Airport are 8-lanes wide.

Motorway route 9

Motorway route TNR|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 TNR|7 at Thap Chang interchange. The southern section of this motorway was completed in November 2007 which joined Bang Na-Trat Highway (Highway route 34) and Rama II Highway (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 (Highway 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 (Highway route 1) at Pratunam Phra-In interchange.

Tolls

Sections of motorway in Thailand are tolled () as well as free.{section-stub}

Construction projects

Motorway Master Plan

Motorway route 5

Motorway route 5 TMN(FS)|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 TMN(FS)|6 designates the motorways heading Northeast, which is the equivalent of Highway route 2 TNR|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 TMN(FS)|7 designates the motorways heading East, which is the equivalent of sections of Highway route 3 TNR|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 TMN(FS)|8 designates the motorways heading South, which is the equivalent of sections of Highway route 3 TNR|3 and Highway route 4 TNR|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.

ee also

*Transport in Thailand
*Rail transport in Thailand
*Economy of Thailand