Thailand’s Department of Highways has announced that the newly completed section of the M6 Motorway, running from Hin Kong in Saraburi Province to Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima, will be temporarily open from 11 to 17 April 2025 to accommodate holiday traffic during the Songkran festival. The 87-kilometre stretch is intended to relieve congestion on Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) by offering an alternate route to motorists.
The final structural element of the elevated roadway—Span 60, located near kilometre 85+451 in Muak Lek District—has now been installed. The project team is in the process of dismantling the launcher truss and preparing the bridge for traffic by installing guard rails and paving the surface. These works are expected to be completed between 3 and 4 April. Final safety features, road markings and lighting systems are set to be installed by 8 April.
With the completion of this section, the motorway will operate temporarily for the Songkran period, extending the current usable route to 167 kilometres between Hin Kong and the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass. Previously, only the Pak Chong to bypass segment—roughly 80 kilometres—was accessible. The extended route will remain toll-free during this period, with a speed limit of 80 km/h due to ongoing construction. Estimated travel time is around two hours.
Traffic along the route will be managed as a one-way system during peak travel days. From 00:01 on 11 April to midnight on 13 April, the road will operate as one-way outbound with three lanes open from Hin Kong to Pak Chong. From 14 to 17 April, the direction will reverse to accommodate inbound travel. The remaining section between Pak Chong and the bypass will continue to operate in both directions as usual.
Two new toll checkpoints, Hin Kong and Kaeng Khoi, will be in operation. Temporary rest areas will also be available at kilometre 64+900 in Thap Kwang (outbound) and kilometre 147+000 in Si Khio (both directions). These rest stops will provide public facilities such as toilets, although fuel stations and EV charging points will not be available.
Public entry and exit points for the Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima bypass section remain unchanged. Access is possible via Highway 2 at kilometre 65 in front of the Nakhonchaiburin stray dog shelter, Highway 201 at kilometre 5+500 (Si Khio–Chaiyaphum Road), Highway 290 at kilometre 14+775 in Kham Thale So, and Highway 204 at kilometre 3+230 along the bypass.
Following the Songkran period, the newly opened section will close again to allow for the continuation of construction. The Department of Highways plans to complete the full 196-kilometre route by the end of 2025, in time for the New Year holiday travel period.
The opening aligns with transport policy led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit and aims to ease travel during one of Thailand’s busiest times of year.
