On October 4, 2024, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Highways (DOH), Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, revealed that Thailand has finalized a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the expansion of Motorway No. 7 (M7). The project aims to connect to U-Tapao International Airport, supporting climate change adaptation within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan.
Thailand has taken a significant step toward enhancing its transportation infrastructure as part of its broader Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development initiative. The project in focus is the extension of Motorway No. 7 (M7), which will establish a critical link to U-Tapao International Airport. This 1.92 km elevated four-lane motorway will be constructed with a total investment of 3.093 billion baht. The financing structure includes an 80% loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), totaling approximately 2.44 billion baht, while the remaining 20% will come from the national budget set aside for fiscal year 2024.
The expansion of the M7 motorway is expected to not only enhance connectivity to the airport but also support the region’s adaptation to climate change. This project aligns with Thailand’s strategy to modernize infrastructure and strengthen the EEC, a key economic zone.
The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), the primary agency handling the loan negotiations, has been working closely with representatives from the Department of Highways, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Council of State to finalize the loan agreement with the ADB. According to Mr. Piyapong, the loan negotiations have been successfully concluded, and the next step is for the ADB to present the proposal to its board, while the PDMO will submit the loan agreement for approval by the Thai Cabinet in November 2024.
Once these approvals are secured, the Department of Highways is expected to sign the construction contracts by December 2024 or early January 2025. The international bidding process has already commenced, and the results are under review by the ADB. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and will take approximately three years to complete.
Officials involved in the loan negotiations, including representatives from multiple agencies, have emphasized the importance of this project in bolstering the transportation network within the EEC, while also mitigating climate change impacts.