Surapong Laoha-Unya, Director of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (SET: BTS), commented on the readiness to open the Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi Motorway (M81), stating that coordination with the Department of Highways (DOH) is ongoing, and all systems are already prepared.
The DOH plans to initiate a trial run (24-hour operation without toll collection) at the end of October. The full-scale commercial operation will depend on the department official announcement, but it is initially expected to occur within January 2026.
As BTS is responsible for system installation, maintenance, and toll collection management (O&M), it will recognize M81 revenue as full-year income from 2026 onwards. Revenue and profit for the fiscal year 2026/27 (April 2026–March 2027) are projected to surpass the previous year. As for the Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima (M6) Motorway, the trial phase is expected to begin in late 2026.
BTS handles O&M for Motorways M81 and M6 under the BGSR joint venture (BTS holds a 40% stake, Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (SET: GULF) 40%, Stecon Group Public Company Limited (SET: STECON) 10%, and Ratch Group Public Company Limited (SET: RATCH) 10%).
Surapong also added that BTS is interested in bidding for the development and management project of motorway rest areas for M81 and M6, with a combined project value of approximately THB 2.5 billion. Since these are the two routes handled by BTS for O&M, the company is waiting for the Department of Highways to announce the bidding process later this year to assess the attractiveness and potential. If BTS decides to participate in the tender, it may need to seek additional partners, as it does not plan to compete alone.
