NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Residents and local authorities in Khao Yai are raising concerns about severe traffic congestion when the Big Mountain music festival is held at a new venue in Pak Chong district, in December.
The issue was discussed at the second meeting of the Inspection and Follow-up Committee for Police Administration (K.T.T.R.) of Moo Si Police Station, held on 26 August 2026 at Viewpoint Khao Yai hotel in Moo Si subdistrict.
The meeting was chaired by Worawut On-aree, chairman of the committee, and attended by police, government agencies, private-sector representatives, local residents and media.
The committee discussed traffic problems expected during the Pepsi Presents Big Mountain Village music festival, scheduled for 12-13 December 2026.
The festival was previously held at a golf course around Km 5 on Thanarat Road, Highway 2090, in Nong Nam Daeng subdistrict. Although the road there has four traffic lanes, the event caused traffic jams stretching several kilometres and disrupted travel for local residents.
This year, the event has been moved to an area near Farm Chokchai 3 at Km 12 on Thanarat Road, where the road has only two lanes for traffic travelling in opposite directions.
Locals said Thanarat Road already experiences long traffic jams during public holidays and major festivals. The road has four lanes from Mittraphap Road in Pak Chong to around Km 10 before narrowing to two lanes from the event site near Farm Chokchai 3 at Km 12 to the entrance of Khao Yai National Park at Km 23.
The committee noted that while accommodation operators could benefit from the influx of tourists, many local residents are concerned about traffic disruption.
More than 30 villages in Moo Si and Pong Ta Long subdistricts rely on Thanarat Road to travel to Pak Chong market and Khao Yai National Park. The road is also used by workers and tourists travelling in and out of the area.
With the festival expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people and thousands of vehicles, residents fear traffic could become severely congested.
Other concerns include motorcycle taxi stands being set up along the road and obstructing traffic. The organisers have yet to clearly announce entry and exit routes or a comprehensive traffic-management plan to prevent vehicles from accumulating on Thanarat Road.
Pol. Col. Chukiat Kaew-at, superintendent of Moo Si Police Station, said the station is responsible for security and traffic management in the area and that this will be the first major music festival of this scale to be held under its jurisdiction.
He said several parties were concerned about traffic congestion and the impact on local residents. A clear plan for entry, exit and traffic dispersal would be needed, particularly around the venue during the two-day event.
Police are waiting for details from the organisers and said a joint meeting involving relevant agencies would be necessary to develop an effective traffic plan.
Pol. Col. Chukiat added that police would make every effort to maintain public order and safety for tourists and residents, including preventing crime in the area.
The festival is expected to draw several hundred thousand visitors, with an estimated 7,000-8,000 cars and motorcycles travelling to the event.
