Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that he has planned to reduce travel expenses for the public by capping expressway tolls for all routes at no more than THB 50. A meeting with relevant agencies is scheduled for November 6, 2025, where more clarity is expected. The measure is to be implemented by early 2026 as a New Year’s gift for Thai people.
The proposal to cap expressway tolls at a maximum of THB 50 per route is part of plans for the “Double Deck” Second-Level Elevated Expressway Project, Ngamwongwan-Rama 9 Line. The concession agreement with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (SET: BEM) will be revised.
Phiphat stated that the Double Deck project must proceed under the Public-Private Partnership Act, B.E. 2562 (PPP) and will take a long time to complete. However, the policy of capping the expressway toll at THB 50 must come ahead of the Double Deck project and should be implemented immediately.
The Double Deck expressway project has its own steps to follow, but in exchange; the THB 50 toll must be implemented immediately. Negotiations shouldn’t delay the toll reduction until construction is finished, as that would take many years, Phiphat said.
Sombat Kitjalaksana, Managing Director of BEM, revealed that, under the current government, discussions have been held with BEM regarding both the Double Deck project and lowering the expressway toll to THB 50 across all routes. BEM is to invest in the 35-billion-baht Double Deck project in exchange for a 22-year-and-5-month extension of its First and Second Expressway concessions.
The government wants to act quickly. As the Double Deck is considered the biggest concession project of this administration. It can commence right away since no government budget is needed, said Sombat. It is believed that the project will be fast-tracking to be finished by year end to implement the THB 50 toll measure before New year or, at least, within the current administration, he commented.
The investment conditions for BEM’s Double Deck project remain as previously discussed, including the concession extension and the toll cap. In addition, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) will adjust the revenue-sharing structure of the First and Second Stage Expressways, so that BEM’s income remains unchanged.
Sombat added that BEM is ready to proceed with the Double Deck project, with CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited (SET: CK) to handle the construction, while BEM will arrange financing without impacting shareholders.
