Traffic was smooth on the M6 motorway as the new route was opened along its entire length for the first time on Friday, with free rides for motorists.
JS100 traffic radio network reported smooth traffic conditions on the M6 after drivers were allowed to use the motorway from midnight.
The M6 runs for 196 kilometres from Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya province to Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The Department of Highways is offering free travel from Friday until Jan 5 next year to ease congestion on Mittraphap Highway during the 5-day New Year holiday period from next Wednesday to Jan 4. Only four-wheel vehicles are permitted to use the new motorway, with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour.
The section between Bang Pa-in and Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima province is open to outbound traffic only from Friday to Thursday, while the reverse direction will be open from Jan 2-5. The section from Pak Chong to the end of the line in Nakhon Ratchasima is open to traffic in both directions throughout the entire period.