Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, has announced that the government will not extend the concession contract for the Don Muang Tollway with Elevated Expressway Co. Ltd. Instead, toll rates will increase as scheduled under the existing concession agreement. The decision comes after a study by the Department of Highways (DOH) found that it would not be cost-effective to extend the concession for the company in exchange for keeping toll fees unchanged.
The toll rate adjustment will take effect from December 22, 2024, as per the concession terms. Motorists using the Don Muang Tollway will see a toll increase of 5-10 baht, depending on the section traveled. The toll will then rise again in December 2027, before the concession ends in 2034. Once the concession expires, the Department of Highways will reevaluate the management of the tollway, including potential changes to toll fees.
Suriya added that while the concession remains in place, the government is encouraging the tollway operator to offer discount promotions to ease the burden on commuters. The company currently offers a 5% discount through a coupon system, and further reductions are under negotiation. The Department of Highways aims to finalize these promotions before the toll increase.
The revised toll rates, starting on December 22, 2024, will apply as follows: for outbound traffic from Din Daeng to Don Muang, four-wheel vehicles will be charged 90 baht, and vehicles with more than four wheels will pay 120 baht. For the Don Muang to Anusorn Sathan section, four-wheel vehicles will pay 40 baht, and larger vehicles will be charged 50 baht.
For inbound traffic from Anusorn Sathan to Din Daeng, the toll at the Don Muang toll plaza will be 130 baht for four-wheel vehicles and 170 baht for larger vehicles. Vehicles entering from Don Muang to Din Daeng at the Laksi, Chaeng Watthana, and Ladprao toll plazas will pay 90 baht for four wheels and 120 baht for vehicles with more than four wheels.
Suriya concluded by emphasizing that once the current concession ends, the government will reassess how best to manage the tollway and ensure the system remains efficient for future use.
