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:
- Northern Thailand.
- Northeastern Thailand.
- Central and eastern, including the upper south.
- Southern Thailand, except the upper south.
A single digit indicates one of four highways connecting Bangkok to outlying regions:[4]
- Route 1 (Phahonyothin Road) to northern Thailand
- Route 2 (Mittraphap Road) to northeastern Thailand
- Route 3 (Sukhumvit Road) to eastern Thailand
- Route 4 (Phet Kasem Road) to southern Thailand
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
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024) |
Northern Thailand edit
| 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
| 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
| 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 | ||
 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 | |
 4056 |
53.238 | Su-ngai Padi Road | Narathiwat-Su-ngai Kolok | Narathiwat | |
 4061 |
36.842 | Lamyai 2 Road; Yarang-Panare Highway | Yarang-Panare | Pattani | |
| 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.
Signs near the beginning of a route may display the highway's name on a white rectangle above or below the square.
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.
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
- 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. -
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".
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Thailand Public Relations Department Transport and Communication. Retrieved October 14, 2008. Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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
- ^ DOH website, ประเภททางหลวง, retrieved on November 13, 2008 Archived December 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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]