The Ministry of Transport is preparing to submit a proposal to the new Cabinet seeking approval for the Nakhon Pathom–Cha-am motorway project, a 54.56 billion baht scheme aimed at strengthening road links to Thailand’s upper southern provinces.
If approved, construction of the 61-kilometre motorway is expected to begin in 2027, with the entire route scheduled to open in 2032.
According to a source at the Ministry of Transport, progress is continuing on the intercity motorway project, which is being overseen by the Department of Highways. The total investment budget of 54.56 billion baht includes 40.16 billion baht allocated for civil construction works and 14.4 billion baht set aside for land expropriation.
On 12 November 2025, the ministry approved the civil construction component of the project. It is now gathering feedback from relevant agencies before submitting the proposal to the Cabinet for final approval. Once approved, the bidding process for contractors will begin.
The Nakhon Pathom–Pak Tho section of the motorway will be developed in two phases.
Phase one will cover the 11-kilometre stretch between Nakhon Pathom and Talat Chinda, with a budget of 10.51 billion baht. Funding for this phase will come from the Motorway Fund, which is supported by toll revenues. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and will take approximately three years to complete.
Phase two will extend from Talat Chinda to Pak Tho, covering 50 kilometres with a budget of 29.65 billion baht. The government is expected to request budget allocation in 2028, with construction anticipated to begin the same year and continue for three years. The full route is projected to open to traffic in 2032.
In addition to construction costs, around 5,340 rai of land will be required for the project. Following Cabinet approval, a royal decree on land expropriation will be issued. This will be followed by land ownership verification and compensation payments. The expropriation process is expected to take between six and eight months and could begin by the end of 2026.
The motorway will have two starting points and one common destination. It will connect to the M81 Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi motorway at the Sisa Thong interchange in Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom, providing links to Highway No. 4 (Phetkasem Road) and Highway No. 338 (Borommaratchachonnani Road).
The end point will link with Highway No. 35 (Rama II Road) in Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi, offering onward connections to Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, including routes used by motorists travelling to Cha-am and Hua Hin.
The Nakhon Pathom–Cha-am motorway will pass through three provinces: Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram. Officials say the project is intended to ease congestion on existing highways, reduce travel times and improve transport efficiency between the central region and key coastal destinations.
For residents and businesses in Cha-am and Hua Hin, the project is expected to provide a more direct and reliable road connection to Bangkok and surrounding provinces once completed.
