Rev Up for Thailand’s Scenic New Route: The M81 Motorway’s Dream Drive Awaits!

Imagine the New Year festivities melding with the joy of a maiden voyage, as the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) unveils a 50-kilometre stretch, from Nakhon Pathom to Kanchanaburi, for a complimentary test drive. Available from December 28 to January 3, this teaser is designed to diminish traffic snarls and unwrap a holiday treat as you glide from one year into the next.

This state-of-the-art motorway forges a path from the bustling No 1 motorway and Rattanathibet intersection in the vibrant district of Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai, all the way to highway No 324’s embrace in the serene Tha Muang road of Kanchanaburi. Along this journey, a series of interchanges emerges like waypoints on a treasure map, leading you to a plethora of destinations:

• The bustling hub at Bang Yai (motorway No 9 and highway No 302 interchange)
• The rustic charm at Nakhon Chaisri (highway No 3323 interchange)
• The gateway to heritage at East Nakhon Pathom (highway No 3036 interchange)
• The suburban tranquility at Tha Maka (highway No 3394 interchange)
• The quaint allure at Thamuang (highway No 3081 interchange)
• The dainty town of Kanchanaburi (highway No 324 interchange)

A series of toll gates dot these interchanges, comprising Bang Yai, Nakhon Chaisri, Sisa Thong, both East and West Nakhon Pathom, Tha Muang, Tha Maka, and of course, Kanchanaburi. The curious detail of which gate will first welcome motorists is still shrouded in mystery, a secret held closely by EXAT as of press time.

As the motorway swings into full operation, a modest toll fee unfurls, calibrated to the size of your trusty steel companion. For the entire 96 kilometers, four-wheel vehicles will contribute a humble 150 baht, beginning with a 10 baht entry and a 1.5 baht-per-kilometer joyride. Six-wheelers will stretch out 240 baht, initiating with 16 baht followed by a 2.4 baht-per-kilometer journey, while for the colossal vessels on wheels larger than six wheelers, a 350 baht ticket commences at a 23 baht starting point, then a 3.45 baht per kilometer escapade.

Upon the grand unveiling of the M81 motorway, a once-tedious two-and-a-half-hour drive melts away into a mere 50-minute reverie, connecting Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi with an efficiency as smooth as the road itself. So, buckle up for a transformative ride on this soon-to-be iconic route, a road that promises not just a quicker transit but an elevated journey experience—where the destination and the travel become equally exhilarating.