PM Explores Hosting Formula One Race in Bangkok

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, convened today, April 22, at the Thai Khu Fah Building within Government House to explore the feasibility of hosting a Formula One race in Thailand.

 

In their discussions, Prime Minister Srettha expressed a strong commitment to bringing high-caliber international racing events to Thailand. He assured full governmental support for the initiative, underlining its readiness to provide all necessary logistics and infrastructure to successfully host such an event.

 

Echoing Srettha’s sentiment, Domenicali conveyed the Formula One Group's enthusiasm about the potential event in Bangkok, noting the reciprocal benefits it could offer to both the sport and various sectors of Thailand, including the economy, local communities, and youth engagement.

 

The premier also reaffirmed Thailand’s willingness to support international sports events, reflecting the government's strategy to enhance the country's global presence and stimulate economic growth through sports and tourism. He added that Thailand is prepared to meet all conditions and work closely with the Formula One Group to make the event a reality.

 

The meeting builds on initial discussions that took place in March during a virtual conference when Srettha visited France, laying the groundwork for further deliberations on organizing a street race in the Thai capital.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-22

 

 

 

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[zhounan]

Monday: we want to be electric vehicles hub.

Tuesday: we want to host Formula 1.

 

[HappyExpat57]

Formula 1 racing occurs every day on Thai roads. Duh.

[OneMoreFarang]

Who has those stupid ideas? 

Next: We will launch rockets to the moon from the middle of Bangkok.

 

[London Lowf]

12 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Domenicali conveyed the Formula One Group's enthusiasm about the potential event in Bangkok, noting the reciprocal benefits it could offer to both the sport and various sectors of Thailand, including the economy, local communities, and youth engagement.

 

Really?

 

I was actually amazed at the photo - that Domenicali actually took this seriously enough to meet up in Bangkok. Oh, wait a second, he was in Shanghai yesterday for the Chinese GP so probably an easy stop off on his globetrotting.

 

[connda]

Formula 1 racing:  by the rich, for the rich. 

[transam]

Just now, connda said:

Formula 1 racing:  by the rich, for the rich. 

And envious...........🤗

[brianthainess]

When will this Goon stop with his Ideas to bring in more cash for broke polluted Thailand, this Clown has really, no I mean Really Really lost the plot.

Somebody please Gaffer tape his mouth and tie him to a chair, far far away.

[brianthainess]

Hope the cars have fog lights to see through the Smog, while even creating more. 

[impulse]

7 minutes ago, transam said:

And envious...........

Not really. A big part of old timey racing was watching cars that looked a lot like the one in your driveway.  Because that's what they modified to go faster.

 

They lost a lot of that appeal.  Sure, they make more money than ever. But how much more would they make if they hadn't alienated so much of their fan base?

 

I love going to Friday night at the local track to watch modified grocery getters. I wouldn't cross the street for a Formula 1 race. 

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

Not really. A big part of old timey racing was watching cars that looked a lot like the one in your driveway.  Because that's what they modified to go faster.

 

They lost a lot of that appeal.  Sure, they make more money than ever. But how much more would they make if they hadn't alienated so much of their fan base?

 

I love going to Friday night at the local track to watch modified grocery getters. I wouldn't cross the street for a Formula 1 race. 

 

I don't watch F1........🤗

[fondue zoo]

Don't bother with F1, go Demolition Derby's and Tuk Tuk jousting.

 

 

Edited April 22 by fondue zoo

[fondue zoo]

..and next time organise a table, you know, like grownups use for important meetings.

Visiting officials love to keep PowerPoint printouts on their laps.

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by fondue zoo

[dinsdale]

Making an F1 street circuit in Bangkok would not be an easy task. Not only does a track need to be set out there also needs to be space for the pits and grandstands. Apart from that having a street circuit means massive disruption to traffic in the area for a couple weeks. Maybe out near Savanabhumi Airport. I would be very interested to see a plan of where it would be but something tells me as it is they have no idea. Reality is though that the F1 world circuit is full and to break into it is not easy. 

[josephbloggs]

16 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Making an F1 street circuit in Bangkok would not be an easy task. Not only does a track need to be set out there also needs to be space for the pits and grandstands. Apart from that having a street circuit means massive disruption to traffic in the area for a couple weeks. Maybe out near Savanabhumi Airport. I would be very interested to see a plan of where it would be but something tells me as it is they have no idea. Reality is though that the F1 world circuit is full and to break into it is not easy. 

There was an agreement maybe 14-15 years ago to hold an F1 race in Bangkok and it was to be on the 2015 calendar with an agreement in place with the FIA. It would have been in the old city around the grand palace and the river.

 

http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/106736.html

They even had Mark Webber drive a demo up and down Ratchadamnoen Avenue and it was absolutely packed so there was a real appetite for it (I was there). It would have made a cool spectacle and the roads around there are wide with spaces for stands. Unfortunately a group of activist opposed to it managed to get a law passed that forbid racing in the old city so the whole thing died.  It would be great if the idea came back and they managed to somehow make it work.......although that law would no doubt need to be rescinded.

 

Edited April 22 by josephbloggs
Edited to replace a BKK Post link with a different one

[dinsdale]

3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

There was an agreement maybe 14-15 years ago to hold an F1 race in Bangkok and it was to be on the 2015 calendar. It would have been in the old city around the grand palace and the river.

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/347075/green-light-for-race-route

They even had Mark Webber drive a demo up and down Ratchadamnoen Avenue and it was absolutely packed so there was a real appetite for it (I was there). It would have made a cool spectacle and the roads around there are wide with spaces for stands. Unfortunately a group of activist opposed to it managed to get a law passed that forbid racing in the old city so the whole thing died. 
 

 

Thanks. Yeh that's a great area for it.

[kickstart]

13 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Making an F1 street circuit in Bangkok would not be an easy task. Not only does a track need to be set out there also needs to be space for the pits and grandstands. Apart from that having a street circuit means massive disruption to traffic in the area for a couple weeks. Maybe out near Savanabhumi Airport. I would be very interested to see a plan of where it would be but something tells me as it is they have no idea. Reality is though that the F1 world circuit is full and to break into it is not easy. 

My first thoughts where they would have to do some very serious road repairs before they can even think about F1 in Thailand, a trip down to Singapore would be a good idea, to see how it is done, and it works. 

[WhatMeWorry]

2 hours ago, transam said:

I don't watch F1........🤗

Most likely you are one of those Bud Light drinking NASCAR fans. 

[happysoul]

Eager to see this. You'll see Somchai the mototaxi going the wrong way on the track to "save time" as always.

Or a push cart coming to sell somtam to Verstapen on turn 5.

Thai population is well disciplined to hold a F1 GP in Bangkok center 🤟

[chickenslegs]

20 minutes ago, happysoul said:

Or a push cart coming to sell somtam to Verstapen on turn 5.

The way things are going this season, Max would have plenty of time to pick up a snack on his way to the checkered flag.

[Ben Zioner]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

this Clown has really, no I mean Really Really lost the plot.

Never had one. And he is mixture of Stalin and Reagan at a mental age of 4.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

But will the FIA agree to hold races exclusively on sidewalks and hard shoulders?

Edited April 22 by Etaoin Shrdlu

[mancub]

Thought I'd heard that the Chang circuit in Burriram met most of the requirements.....but there's always a political angle to it.

[London Lowf]

2 hours ago, mancub said:

Thought I'd heard that the Chang circuit in Burriram met most of the requirements.....but there's always a political angle to it.

 

I went there for the 2019 World Superbikes and was very lucky to find an hotel room and there were very few farangs at the races.

 

Last year and this I've toyed with going for the Moto GP in October but abandoned the idea as there is so little accomodation available. Even as I write this, booking.com is only showing one hotel available for this years dates, and it's well outside town.

 

Also, Buriram airport is little more than an airstrip. When I went there were four scheduled fights a day, but one was invariably cancelled.

 

I believe that the circuit was designed to comply with Formula One requirements, but there is no way that Buriram town could host an event. A shame!

 

 

Edited April 22 by London Lowf

[eisfeld]

Aha! Very smart. This is their plot to finally get ahold of Mr. Boss!

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In their discussions, Prime Minister Srettha expressed a strong commitment to bringing high-caliber international racing events to Thailand. He assured full governmental support for the initiative, underlining its readiness to provide all necessary logistics and infrastructure to successfully host such an event.

Maybe Red Bull will chip in for the expenses?

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, mancub said:

Thought I'd heard that the Chang circuit in Burriram met most of the requirements.....but there's always a political angle to it.

The circuit maybe 75% viable, the town, roads and infrastructure most certainly is not.

[rovinman]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Making an F1 street circuit in Bangkok would not be an easy task. Not only does a track need to be set out there also needs to be space for the pits and grandstands. Apart from that having a street circuit means massive disruption to traffic in the area for a couple weeks. Maybe out near Savanabhumi Airport. I would be very interested to see a plan of where it would be but something tells me as it is they have no idea. Reality is though that the F1 world circuit is full and to break into it is not easy. 

 

........... and down the Sukhumvit straight,  left at Tong Lor, .............

[SmartyMarty]

10 hours ago, kickstart said:

My first thoughts where they would have to do some very serious road repairs before they can even think about F1 in Thailand, a trip down to Singapore would be a good idea, to see how it is done, and it works. 

except Singapore loses millions every year hosting the race.

[JayClay]

13 hours ago, impulse said:

They lost a lot of that appeal.  Sure, they make more money than ever. But how much more would they make if they hadn't alienated so much of their fan base?

 

They have a bigger fanbase than ever so that's not a very rational argument.

 

I also personally don't think F1 is as good as when I was growing up (strange that), but the "they could be making more money if they did exactly what I wanted" mentality is not exactly backed up by the figures.

Edited April 23 by JayClay