DOH Pushes Forward M5 Extension
Uttraphimuk Elevated Motorway Project, Rangsit – Bang Pa-In Section
Market Sounding Underway Ahead of PPP Bidding Call in 2026
Today, November 6, 2025, the Department of Highways (DOH), under the Ministry of Transport, hosted a Market Sounding session for the Uttraphimuk Elevated Motorway Project (M5), Rangsit – Bang Pa-In Section. This project, valued at approx. 47.881 billion Baht, will be developed under a PPP Gross Cost model. The objective of the session was to gauge private sector’s interest and provide an opportunity for them to offer opinions, which will be used in the preparation of the Request for Proposal (RFP) before the Invitation to Bid is issued in 2026.
Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn, Director-General of the DOH, announced that the Uttraphimuk Elevated Motorway Project (M5), Rangsit – Bang Pa-In Section, is a crucial strategic project under the Intercity Motorway Development Master Plan, B.E. 2560 – 2579 (2017–2036), essential for connecting Bangkok with Pathum Thani and Ayutthaya while serving as a main logistical corridor for the Northern and Northeastern regions. He noted that the extension will significantly alleviate severe congestion on the upper Phahonothin and Vibhavadi Rangsit roads, making both travel and freight transport smoother, faster and safer, thus marking a major step toward building a complete and seamless motorway network across Thai regions.
Under the PPP Gross Cost model, the government retains full ownership of assets and toll revenue, while the private party receives an availability payment based on actual operational performance. The overall project duration will not exceed 34 years, which is split into 2 following phases:
- Phase 1: Design and construction of civil works, including the installation of all necessary systems and related components, covering the maximum of 4 years; and
- Phase 2: Operation and maintenance (O&M), which lasts up to 30 years from the commercial operation date.
The DOH expects to issue an Invitation to Bid in Q1 2026, with PPP bidding process and contract signing completed within the same year, targeting a service launch in 2031.
The barrier-free automatic toll collection system or M-Flow will be adopted for the entire route of the project to alleviate traffic jams at toll plazas. Upon launching, the project will dramatically improve travel performance and substantially decrease traffic congestion on Phahonyothin Road. Critically, it will also facilitate the country’s logistics system, enabling more convenient and secure regional connectivity. Furthermore, the project also yields substantial economic benefits, generating a Net Present Value of more than 7.928 billion Baht and stimulating an increase in overall systemic economic income by over 120 billion Baht. These gains are attributable to savings in travel time, energy costs, and logistics expenses.
Spanning a total length of approx. 29 km., the M5 Motorway Project is composed of 2 main sections: the Anusornsathan – Rangsit section (around 7 km.), which links directly to the existing Uttraphimuk Expressway (Don Mueang Tollway) and is currently under the DOH’s management; while the Rangsit – Bang Pa-In section (approx. 22 km.), to be constructed by the private party, will terminate at the Bang Pa-In Interchange, interfacing there with both Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) and Motorway No. 6 (Bang Pa-In – Nakhon Ratchasima).
The project features 6-lane elevated road (3 lanes per direction) for its entire route and includes 7 entry/exit and toll collection points for maximum access, namely, Rangsit 1, Rangsit 2, Khlong Luang, Thammasat University, Navanakorn, Valaya Alongkorn, and Pratunam Phra In. Travelers will also benefit from a rest stop located near the Rangsit 1 inbound toll collection area, where parking spaces, restrooms and commercial amenities are provided.
This seminar is designed to engage pertinent government entities and both high-potential domestic and international private entities with expertise in infrastructure construction, asset management, and associated systems technology. They will be fully briefed on the project and invited to provide essential feedback, which will be crucial for the preparation of the RFP, ensuring its suitability, prudence, and transparency.
Further information related to the project can be found at www.doh.go.th and www.doh-motorway.com websites.
