The Transport Ministry is set to propose a new expressway project linking the Don Muang Tollway with Motorway 6, which connects Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima. The plan, scheduled for cabinet submission on Tuesday, outlines the construction of Motorway 5 (M5), a 22-kilometer elevated road aimed at reducing traffic congestion in northern Bangkok and improving regional connectivity.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit detailed that the six-lane, restricted-access expressway would begin at the Rangsit interchange in Pathum Thani and terminate at the Bang Pa-in interchange in Ayutthaya. Designed with seven entry and exit ramps, the M5 will run parallel to Phahon Yothin Road, linking critical transport routes.
The project, estimated at 31.3 billion baht, will operate as a public-private partnership (PPP). Once approved, the Department of Land Transport will launch a bidding process to select contractors, with the motorway expected to be operational by 2029.
In addition to the expressway, the ministry plans to propose an 8.84-kilometer extension of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Red Line. This extension would connect Rangsit Station to Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus, enhancing rail access in the area.
Minister Suriya expressed hopes for cabinet approval by the end of December, positioning the initiative as a New Year’s gift for commuters.
Plans for other Red Line expansions are also progressing. The 20.5-kilometer section from Siriraj Hospital to Salaya is undergoing public hearings, while the SRT is revising the eastern (Bang Sue to Hua Mak) and southern (Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong) sections following an environmental impact assessment.
Officials emphasized that these projects reflect the government’s commitment to addressing urban congestion and strengthening the nation’s infrastructure.
