M8 motorway towards Cha-am moves closer to Cabinet approval
Plans for a new motorway intended to improve road travel between the Cha-am area and Bangkok are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval later this year.
The Department of Highways is preparing to seek approval for the first phase of the M8 intercity motorway, covering 61 kilometres between Nakhon Pathom and Pak Tho in Ratchaburi province.
The proposed M8 will eventually extend for 109 kilometres from Nakhon Pathom through Pak Tho to Cha-am. The route is intended to provide an alternative to Phetkasem Road for motorists travelling between Bangkok, Cha-am, Hua Hin and other parts of the upper South.
Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn, Director-General of the Department of Highways, said the project was expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Transport before being forwarded to the Cabinet during 2026.
The department is currently reviewing the estimated cost of the civil engineering work following increases in oil and construction-related prices. Land acquisition costs are expected to remain unchanged.
Under the original study, the first phase was estimated to require an investment of 61.15 billion baht. This included 40.16 billion baht for civil works, 14.4 billion baht for land acquisition and 6.59 billion baht for motorway systems.
Construction would be divided into two sections.
The first would run for 9.3 kilometres from Nakhon Pathom to Talat Chinda and is estimated to cost 10.51 billion baht. The department plans to finance the civil works using revenue from the Motorway Toll Fee Fund.
The second section, from Talat Chinda to Pak Tho, would cover about 50 kilometres and cost an estimated 29.65 billion baht. Funding is expected to be requested from the 2028 fiscal budget, with construction planned between 2028 and 2031.
Although the first phase would end at Pak Tho, it would still improve access towards Cha-am by creating a new motorway connection closer to the main southern route. The later extension from Pak Tho to Cha-am would be required before the full motorway link to the resort area is completed.
The Department of Highways is also considering raising construction funds through the Thailand Future Fund, known as TFFIF, to reduce reliance on the government budget.
Changes to highway and toll legislation would be needed before the fund could be used for the project. Public consultations on the proposed legislation were continuing in late July, with the laws expected to be completed in 2027.
If the required approvals and funding proceed as planned, construction financing could begin in 2028.
