Thai highway network

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A highway sign, bearing the Thai national symbol and the route number

The Thai highway network follows the left-hand traffic rule of the road. The network is the twin responsibility of the Department of Highways (DOH, Thai: กรมทางหลวง, Krom Thang Luang), and the Department of Rural Roads (DORR, กรมทางหลวงชนบท, Krom Thang Luang Chonnabot), under the oversight of the Transportation ministry of Thailand. Public highways (ทางหลวง, thang luang) are also called public roads (ถนนหลวง, thanon luang), especially when part of urban streets. The network spans over 70,000 kilometers across all regions of Thailand.[1] Most are single carriageways. Dual carriageways have frequent u-turn lanes and intersections slowing down traffic. Coupled with the increase in the number of vehicles and the demand for a limited-access motorway, the Thai Government issued a Cabinet resolution in 1997 detailing the motorway construction master plan.[2] Some upgraded sections of highway are being turned into a "motorway", while other motorways are not being built from highway sections.

Types of highways[edit]

The 1992 Highway Act (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติทางหลวง พ.ศ. 2535), revised as the 2006 Highway Act (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติทางหลวง (ฉบับที่ 2) พ.ศ. 2549), defines the following five highway types:[3]

A special highway (Thai: ทางหลวงพิเศษ) or motorway is a high capacity highway designed for high speed traffic, for which the Department of Highways carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs, and is registered as such. Motorway entrances and exits have controlled access, and controlled by the DOH. Registration of motorways is overseen by the Director General of the DOH.

A national highway (Thai: ทางหลวงแผ่นดิน) is a primary highway, part of the network connecting regions, provinces, districts, and other important destinations, for which the DOH carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of national highways is overseen by the Director General of the DOH.

A rural highway (Thai: ทางหลวงชนบท) or rural road is a highway for which the Department of Rural Roads carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of rural highways is overseen by the Director General of the DORR.

A local highway (Thai: ทางหลวงท้องถิ่น) or local route is a highway for which the local administrative organization carries out construction, expansion, upkeep and repairs. Registration of rural highways is overseen by the provincial governor.

A concession highway (Thai: ทางหลวงสัมปทาน) is a highway for which a legal government concession has been granted. Registration of concession highways is overseen by the Director General of the DOH.

Highway numbering[edit]

The first digit of a highway number indicates the region of Thailand it serves, with the number of digits indicating the highway classification.[4] These regions are:

  1. Northern Thailand.
  2. Northeastern Thailand.
  3. Central and eastern, including the upper south.
  4. Southern Thailand, except the upper south.

A single digit indicates one of four highways connecting Bangkok to outlying regions:[4]

Two digits indicate a principal highway within a region, such as Route 22 in the northeast between Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom.[4]

Three digits indicate a regional secondary highway, such as northeastern Route 202 between Chaiyaphum and Khemarat, and central Route 314 between Bang Pakong and Cha Choeng Sao.[4]

Four digits indicate an intra-province highway connecting a provincial capital to its districts, or between important sites, such as northern Route 1001 between the Route 11 intersection and Amphoe Phrao, and southern Route 4006 between the Route 4 intersection (Ratchakrut) and Lang Suan.[4]

Highways by region[edit]

Northern Thailand[edit]

Sign on Route 12 in the north of the country
Bridge construction on route 108
Route 12/Asian Highway 16 in Phetchabun Province being widened (2013)
Route Km Name Destination Remarks Province
1-3 Digits
1 1,005 Phahonyothin Road Bangkok-Mae Sai Checkpoint AH1, AH2, AH13 Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
11 562.673 Wachirawut Damnoen Road; Super Highway Road Inburi-Chiang Mai AH13 Sing Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Mai
12 793.391 Jarodwithi Thong Road; Singhawat Road; Mittraphap Road; Maliwan Road; Srichan Road; Thinanon Road Mae Sot Checkpoint-Mukdahan AH1, AH13, AH16 Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Mukdahan
4 Digits (10XX)
1001 93.657 Chiang Mai-Phrao Chiang Mai
4 Digits (11XX)
1100 6.05 Entrance to Doi Kiew Ruesi Phrae
4 Digits (12XX)
1200
4 Digits (13XX)
1300 12.049 Khamang-Pho Prathap Chang Phichit
4 Digits (14XX)
1400 4.829 Entrance to Pa Mamuang Tak

Northeastern Thailand[edit]

Route Km Name Destination Remarks Province
1-3 Digits
2 495.409 Mittraphap Road Saraburi-Nong Khai Checkpoint AH12 Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai
21 412.874 Saraburi - Lom Sak Road; Lom Sak - Loei Road; Kotchaseni Road; Samakkhi Chai Road Chaloem Phra Kiat-Loei Saraburi, Lopburi, Phetchabun, Loei
22 239.171 Nittayo Road Udon Thani-Nakhon Phanom AH15 Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom
23 278.752 Chaengsanit Road Ban Phai-Ubon Ratchathani Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani
24 420.145 Sathon Mark Road Sikhio-Ubon Ratchathani AH121 Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani
4 Digits (20XX)
2001 Bung Nam Tao-Tham Phra Road Entrance to Ban Tham Phra Downgraded to local highway in under control of Phetchabun Provincial Administration Organization Phetchabun
4 Digits (21XX)
4 Digits (22XX)
4 Digits (23XX)
4 Digits (24XX)
4 Digits (26XX)

Central, western and eastern Thailand[edit]

AH1, AH2 and Highway 32 in Ayutthaya
Route Km Name Destination Remarks Province
1-3 Digits
3 426.931 Sukhumvit Road Bangkok-Hat Laek Checkpoint AH123 Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Trat
31 23.510 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road Din Daeng-Don Mueang Bangkok, Pathum Thani
32 150.545 Asian Road Bang Pa-in-Manorom AH1, AH2 Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chainat, Nakhon Sawan
33 299.549 Suphanburi-Pa Mok Road; Phachi-Hinkong Road; Suwannason Road Suphanburi-Aranyaprathet Checkpoint AH1 Suphanburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo
34 58.855 Debaratana Road / Bang Na–Trat Road Bang Na-Chonburi AH19 Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi
35 84.041 Rama 2 Road Chom Thong-Pak Tho Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi
36 57.021 Pattaya-Rayong Bypass Highway Bang Lamung-Rayong AH123 Chonburi, Rayong
37 47.468 Cha-am-Pranburi Bypass Road; Phetkasem Road Cha-am-Pranburi AH2 Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan
38 7.327 Uttaraphimuk elevated road Memorial Elevated Walkway - Rangsit Bangkok, Pathum Thani
4 Digits (30XX)
4 Digits (31XX)
4 Digits (32XX)
4 Digits (33XX)
4 Digits (34XX)
4 Digits (35XX)
4 Digits (36XX)
4 Digits (37XX)
4 Digits (38XX)
4 Digits (39XX)

Southern Thailand[edit]

Highway 43 in Pattani Province
Route Km Name Destination Remarks Province
1-3 Digits
4 1270.044 Phetkasem Road; Kanchanawanit Road Bangkok-Sadao Checkpoint AH2, AH123 Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, Phattalung, Songkhla
41 382.616 Asian Road Chumphon-Phattalung AH2 Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung
42 262.312 Phetkasem of Pattani-Narathiwat; Ramkomut Road; Korean Road Sadao-Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint AH18 Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat
43 107 Asian Road; Hat Yai-Pattani Highway; Pattani Bypass Highway Hat Yai-Yaring AH18 Songkhla, Pattani
44 133.172 Southern Road Ao Luek-Kanchanadit Krabi, Surat Thani
401 282.963 Tharathibodi Road; Sriwichai Road; Talat Mai Road; Kanchanawithi Road; Pattanakan Khu Khwang Road; Road around Vajiravudh Camp Takua Pa-Nakhon Si Thammarat Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat
402 48.958 Thepkrasattri Road Takua Thung-Phuket Phang Nga, Phuket
403 118.888 Kantang Road Nakhon Si Thammarat-Kantang Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang
404 133.663 Trang-Chalung Originally position was Trang-Palian, now Highway 416 merged to Highway 404 Trang-Satun
405 Ron Phibun-Phatthalung Road Ron Phibun-Phatthalung Part of Highway 41 Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung
406 99.890 Yontrakankamthon Road; Satun Thani Road; Sulkanukun Road Khuan Niang-Tammalang Pier Songkhla, Satun
407 21.060 Kanchanawanit Road; Saiburi Road Khlong Wa-Songkhla Songkhla
408 245.159 Nakhon Si Thammarat-Ban Prakop Checkpoint Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla
409 34.759 Thesaban 1 Road (Yala) Naket-Yala Pattani, Yala
410 163.776 Yarang Road; Sirorot Road; Sukhyang Road Pattani-Betong Checkpoint Pattani, Yala
411 Uttarakit Road Main Entrance to Krabi Downgraded to Local Highway with under control of Krabi Provincial Administration Organization Krabi
412 0.233 Entrance to Ranong Ranong
413 Downgraded to 4 digit highway/Part of Highway 4303 Phang Nga
414 24.315 Lopburi Ramesuan Road Nam Krachai-Tha Thon Songkhla
415 48.161 Na Nuea, Phanom Krabi, Surat Thani
416 Palian-Chalung Road Palian-Chalung Part of Highway 404 Trang, Satun
417 11.296 Surat Thani Airport-Kholang Surat Thani
418 35.649 Yarang Bypass Highway Pattani-Thasap Pattani, Yala
419 31.255 Trang Ring Road Ring road around Trang city Trang
420 31.702 Bang Bai Mai Road; Surat Thani Bypass Road (Tha Kup Intersection - Bang Kung Intersection); Surat Thani Ring Road Ring road around Surat Thani city Surat Thani
421 10.517 Wisetmayura Road; Satun Bypass Road Kanae-Satun Satun
425 7.183 Southeast Hat Yai Bypass Road Ban Phru-Hat Yai International Airport Under planned Songkhla
4 Digits (40XX)
4001 6.135 Chumphon-Thayang Chumphon
4012 8.832 Pattanakan Khu Khwang Road Entrance to Nakhon Si Thammarat Originally Highway 401, now Highway 4012 Nakhon Si Thammarat
4054 10.439 Padang Besa Road Sadao-Padang Besar Checkpoint Songkhla
4055 64.305 Ra-ngae Makha Road Narathiwat-Sukhirin Narathiwat
4056 53.238 Su-ngai Padi Road Narathiwat-Su-ngai Kolok Narathiwat
4057 25.517 Charoen Khet Road Su-ngai Kolok-Buketa Checkpoint Originally was Tak Bai-Buketa, now part of Highway 42 on Tak Bai-Su-ngai Kolok section Narathiwat
4058 31.386 Makhapinnit Road Yi-ngo-Rueso Narathiwat
4059 Entrance to Ranong Pier Removed/Unknown Ranong
4060 50.833 Ratrat Phatthana Road Saiburi-Si Sakhon Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat
4061 36.842 Lamyai 2 Road; Yarang-Panare Highway Yarang-Panare Pattani
4062 41.162 Buketa-Sukhirin Narathiwat
4063 9.917 Paramitae-Ban Kotabaru Yala
4064 Sirorot Road Yala Hospital-Paramitae Downgraded to Local Highway with under control of Yala Provincial Administration Organization; Melayu Bangkok-Paramitae section is part of Highway 410 Yala
4065 10.76 Ban Niang-Yaha Yala
4066 54.679 Hutae Huwo-Ban Kotabaru Narathiwat, Yala
4067 28.081 Ban Kotabaru-Rueso Yala, Narathiwat
4068 6.258 Lammai-Lamphaya Yala
4069 Asen-Tachi Designation decommissioned Yala
4070 29.733 Yaha-Bala Yala
4071 24.16 Ban Kotabaru-Phiten Yala, Pattani
4072 Na Pradu-Sai Khao Waterfall Downgraded to Rural Road PN.3060 Pattani
4073 Unknown
4074 16.1 Trobon-Paku Pattani
4075 7 Tolang-Ban Nok Pattani
4076 1.5 Paku-Ban Sai Khao Pattani
4077 32.079 Yaha-Bannang Sata Yala
4078 Chalung-Palian Originally was part of Highway 416, now part of Highway 404 Satun, Trang
4079 Talat Lang Road Surat Thani-Bang Kung Downgraded to Local Highway Surat Thani
4080 Chaloem Phrakiat Road Entrance to Ranong Municipality Control Area Ranong
4081 16.15 Tha Nangphrom-Chongkae Phatthalung
4082 11.335 Witunuthit 1 Road Yala-Tohpakae Yala
4083 2.887 Entrance to Ranot Songkhla
4084 14.173 Chaturongrasamee Road Entrance to Narathiwat Originally Narathiwat-Tak Bai, now part of Highway 42 and Tak Bai entrance is part of Highway 4327 Narathiwat
4085 49.47 Pak Nam Thepha-Bannang Dama Songkhla, Yala
4086 0.28 Entrance to Chana Originally was Chana-Don Yang, now part of Highway 43 Songkhla
4087 Entrance to Khuan Mit Intersection Downgraded to Local Highway with under control of Songkhla Provincial Administration Organization Songkhla
4088 Entrance to Hanthao Train Station Intersection Downgraded to Local Highway Phatthalung
4089 1.825 Thasap Road Entrance to West Yala Yala
4090 43.466 Noppring-Hin Dan Phang Nga
4091 71.858 Ranong-Thung Tako Ranong, Chumphon
4092 32 Raman-Mayo Yala, Pattani
4093 Bannang Dama-Bannang Sata Unknown Yala
4094 30.341 Bolo-Paknang Nakhon Si Thammarat
4095 20.671 Saba Yoi-Khao Daeng Songkhla
4096 Khao Peep-Paknam Tako Downgraded to Rural Road CP.2063 Chumphon
4097 Lang Suan-Bang Nam Chip Designation decommissioned Chumphon
4098 7.15 Khao Mathri-Sairi Beach Chumphon
4099 6.5 Khao Muang-Wat Laem Sai Chumphon
4 Digits (41XX)
4100 10.669 Entrance to Khiri Rat Nikhom Surat Thani
4184 21.85 Wang Prachan Road Khuan Don-Wang Prachan Checkpoint Satun
4 Digits (42XX)
4200 2.X Watchara Road Entrance to West Krabi Removed Krabi
4 Digits (43XX)
4300 1.4 Entrance to Yi-ngo Narathiwat

Department of Highway signage[edit]

Route number signs[edit]

DOH signs for public highways (ทางหลวง, thang luang) are white squares with a black garuda (ครุฑ khrut) centered above the route number.

Arunprasert Road
Arunprasert Road

Signs near the beginning of a route may display the highway's name on a white rectangle above or below the square.

Bypass marker
Bypass marker

Highways bypassing city centres bear the principal route number marked "Bypass" in Thai (เลี่ยงเมือง), and sometimes also in English.

Department of Rural Roads[edit]

DORR rural roads do not follow the regional numbering scheme, above.

SK.3015
SK.3015

Signs may be black-on-white or gold-on-blue, with a two-letter province designation prefixed to the road number. Depicted is SK. 3015, for a rural road in Songkhla Province. The rural road network measures some 35,000 kilometres (22,000 mi), about 82 percent of which is paved. The Department of Rural Roads of the Ministry of Transport takes care of the maintenance of all the rural roads in Thailand.[5]

Kilometer stones[edit]

A kilometer zero stone in northern Thailand
Main article: Milestone
Milestone as goal is lakh chai (หลักชัย); also see Lak Mueang, Lakh.

Lak or Lakh kilomet (หลักกิโลเมตร) single-carriageway kilometer stone facings display the route number on the outline of a garuda. Some kilometer stones also display the route number on top. Those located to the left of the carriageway display kilometers remaining to the road's beginning at kilometer 0. As seen on the right from the opposite lane, the kilometer stones ascend in value as one proceeds away from kilometer 0. On edges facing traffic, DOH kilometer stones usually show distances remaining to the next two towns, (amphoe seats, or provincial capitals.) Some edges, such as the one depicted to the left, have retroreflector panels. Dual carriageway kilometer stones or posts in the median strip show only the kilometer number.

  • DORR milestones show the kilometer number, and the edges may show distances remaining to the next two villages.
    DORR milestones show the kilometer number, and the edges may show distances remaining to the next two villages.
  • Older roads built by the Ministry of the Interior Public Works Department (กรมโยธาธิการ กระทรวงมหาดไทย) have only departmental insignia and kilometer number and do not show distances on their edges.
    Older roads built by the Ministry of the Interior Public Works Department (กรมโยธาธิการ กระทรวงมหาดไทย) have only departmental insignia and kilometer number and do not show distances on their edges.
  • This type of kilometer stone is sometimes found on older rural highways built during a period of rural development several decades ago. They are marked with the Thai characters รพช, an abbreviation for Rengrat Pattana Chonabot (Thai: เร่งรัดพัฒนาชนบท) which, roughly translated, means "Rapid Rural Development".
    This type of kilometer stone is sometimes found on older rural highways built during a period of rural development several decades ago. They are marked with the Thai characters รพช, an abbreviation for Rengrat Pattana Chonabot (Thai: เร่งรัดพัฒนาชนบท) which, roughly translated, means "Rapid Rural Development".

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Thailand Public Relations Department Transport and Communication. Retrieved October 14, 2008. Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Paper "Privatization of Highway Infrastructure in Thailand" Bureau of Planning, Department of Highways, Thailand. Retrieved 2008-10-19. Archived July 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ DOH website, ประเภททางหลวง, retrieved on November 13, 2008 Archived December 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b c d e "ระบบหมายเลขทางหลวง". Department of Highways website. Department of Highways. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  5. ^ World Bank, Transport in Thailand. Retrieved October 14, 2008.

External links[edit]

  • Asian / ASEAN Highway Route Marker (21MB) Department of Highways Thai-language 18-page file, with 1 index and 8 regional maps of AH system overlaid on existing Thai national highways, plus diagrams of AH route markers. Retrieved 2008-10-14.[dead link]
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