Thailand’s Department of Highways (DOH) has commissioned a study and design for seven new motorway projects, with an initial focus on the Chonburi-Nong Khai route. The first phase, covering Chonburi to Prachinburi, is part of a broader plan to improve transportation infrastructure. The total budget for these consultancy services is 362 million baht, with the aim of enhancing connectivity and addressing traffic congestion.
The projects include the design and review of several key motorway expansions. Among them, two sections of the Chonburi-Nong Khai Motorway (Chonburi-Laem Chabang Port to Prachinburi) are allocated a total of 172 million baht. Additionally, there are plans to review and improve sections of Bangkok’s Outer Ring Road, with specific studies on junctions along Highways 3312, 34, 305, and 32. Other initiatives focus on extending Motorway No. 7 to connect with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and improving traffic conditions along Highway 315 near Chonburi. The consultancy phase is expected to take 12 to 18 months.
The Chonburi-Nong Khai Motorway spans 614 kilometers and is divided into three phases: Phase 1 (Chonburi to Prachinburi) covers 124 kilometers, Phase 2 (Prachinburi to Nakhon Ratchasima) extends 178 kilometers, and Phase 3 (Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai) runs approximately 300 kilometers. Designed with four to eight lanes, the motorway is a key part of Thailand’s North-South economic corridor, linking the EEC with the northeastern region and neighboring countries.
The estimated budget for the first two phases exceeds 200 billion baht, with 190 billion baht allocated for construction and 22 billion baht for land expropriation. The detailed design and feasibility study for Phase 1 have been completed, and the upcoming consultancy contracts will focus on construction design. The government aims to allocate funds for construction by 2027, with the motorway expected to open between 2030 and 2031. Phases 2 and 3, connecting Prachinburi to Nong Khai, are still under review.
Officials and stakeholders involved in the project emphasize its strategic importance in supporting trade and logistics in Thailand’s eastern and northeastern regions.
