On May 26, Mr. Apirat Chaiyawongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Highways, announced the official opening of Highway No. 3208 (Khao Wang–Mueang Pha Pok Khang Khao), covering a 30-kilometer stretch through Chom Bueng and Suan Phueng districts in Ratchaburi. This development is part of a national transport network upgrade to improve citizens’ quality of life and boost the local economy.
Highway 3208 is considered a vital economic and tourism artery, particularly for Suan Phueng, a nationally renowned destination. Previously, travelers often encountered traffic congestion, especially during holidays. The newly developed highway directly addresses this issue.
The project was divided into two phases:
- Section 1: From km 9+050–km 19+100 and km 20+200–km 25+157.
- Section 2: From km 25+656–km 40+656.
The road now meets premium highway standards, expanded from 2 to 4 lanes (two in each direction), with each lane 3.5 meters wide. It includes 0.5–1.0-meter inner and 2.5-meter outer shoulders, asphalt concrete pavement, raised medians, and single slope concrete barriers. The upgrade also includes bridge construction, lighting systems, and flashing lights for improved nighttime visibility. The total budget for this project was 1,258,786,840 baht.
Travelers heading to Suan Phueng can now bypass Chom Bueng town via the new highway (Huai Phai–Nam Phu route), passing landmarks like the new Ratchaburi Provincial Court and Huai Mai Teng Reservoir before reaching Chat Pa Wai junction.
Additionally, this route connects seamlessly with the M81 Motorway (Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi), allowing travelers to reach Suan Phueng from Bang Yai in just about 2 hours. The M81 is currently open for free trial use every Friday at 3:00 PM until Monday at 9:00 AM.
The Highway 3208 upgrade not only improves road safety but also reduces travel time, eases traffic congestion, and supports community businesses by facilitating tourism and trade. Suan Phueng’s increased accessibility is expected to attract more domestic and international visitors. For route information or assistance, call the Department of Highways’ 24-hour hotline at 1586.