Report Thailand Considers Hosting Local F1 Race to Boost Tourism

[webfact]

ASEAN NOW composite for reference only

 

Thailand is accelerating plans to host a Formula 1 street race, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announcing significant progress after discussions with Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali.

 

The meeting took place during the Monaco Grand Prix, aiming to explore the feasibility of bringing this prestigious event to Thailand.

 

Following the meeting in Monaco, PM Paetongtarn shared that the proposed race is part of a larger strategy to enhance tourism through year-round attractions, including international events like Formula 1.

 

This initiative falls under Thailand's "Man Made Destinations" concept, seeking to elevate the country's tourism appeal.

 

Hosting a Formula 1 race in Thailand would necessitate extensive infrastructure upgrades, such as enhanced roads, spectator stands, and advanced digital systems, driving economic growth and job creation.

 

During the Monaco discussion, topics included potential race locations and the prospect of public-private partnerships.

 

The Prime Minister also met Thai drivers Alex Albon and Tanapol Inthrapuvasak, who expressed their enthusiasm and support for the initiative.

 

Domenicali noted the benefits an F1 race could bring, emphasising Thailand's passionate motorsport fans and the positive impact on tourism and local economy.

 

Talks have been ongoing since March, with several areas, including land near U-Tapao Airport, under consideration for the event.

 

The plan aims to tap into Thailand’s strong tourism performance, with over 13 million visitors generating significant revenue in the first half of the year, and further attract international tourists with the allure of a new F1 race.

 

With continued collaboration between Formula One Group and Thai authorities, Thailand is poised to strengthen its position as a premier global tourism destination.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-26

 

 

[blaze master]

Never going to happen. 

[hotandsticky]

Pipe Dream

[quake]

Just a wet dream by the government. 

[Jim Blue]

1 hour ago, quake said:

Just a wet dream by the government. 

Watch out on those slippery corners !

[PJ71]

Maybe they should start with Mario Carts?

[bendejo]

More appropriate to have this sort of thing

Death Race 2000

 

The run from Hua Hin to Pattaya.  Red Bull boy goes in as the favorite.

 

 

[Gsxrnz]

A Monaco style format would go down well in Pattaya. The streets are just made for it. 

 

[Ricardo]

This old chestnut, again ?  IIRC it was proposed, as a street-circuit in Bangkok, some 20-years ago !  

 

Oh well, I guess it sells newspapers.  

[newbee2022]

My impression is they underestimate the costs of implementing all requirements ruled out by FIA.

Participating builders and construction companies might be the only winners.

👎

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The meeting took place during the Monaco Grand Prix, aiming to explore the feasibility of bringing this prestigious event to Thailand.

Not a hope in hell... 

[hanbla]

So this stupid wet dream is here again? It will cost more than Thailand will get back.

Little puppet, go home and make your homework. Work it out with all these horrific tariffs. 

Make tariff deals with EU, Australia, India if you not have been doing it.

Make sure your father take care of his grandchildren instead of interfere in politics all the time. People around the world doesn't like this theatre, they don't want to invest and people doesn't want to come here.

Make Thailand more interesting to visit, clean up all the mess, scams and so on show the world that you actually do something. 

There are probably thousands of other things she can do and should do. 

 

[daveAustin]

Could be done  

 

 

… for tuk-tuks. 😋

[Teddy Boy]

She’s just trying to justify her being in Monaco at the taxpayers expense 

[klauskunkel]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Domenicali noted the benefits an F1 race could bring

Yes, these guys always highlight those financial benefits, same the International Olympic Committee, same the FIFA,...

and then come the briberies...

 

 

[cynic1]

I think it's a ruse to entice Red Bull back to Thailand so they can arrest him and start the envelopes flowing again.

[crazykopite]

Keep dreaming it’s never going to happen this government constantly comes up with pie in the sky ideas like when Taylor Swift was playing in Singapore they said we can do better !

[Reddavy]

Local F1 WOW😱 the tourists will come flooding in. 🙈

[worgeordie]

I am sure there are a lot more important things Thailand could

spend money on , why not just have Tuk Tuk's racing around

the streets of Bangkok .... wait they are doing that already.

 

regards Worgeordie

[kingstonkid]

Utapao is out there is nothing there that would entice the F1 crowd.  Better would be Pattaya beach road Pattaya 16 Pattaya Sai 2, Central Pattaya  

 

Then why would you not use the F1-certified track at Buriram?  Oh yeah, forgot BJT owned LOL

 

The only place that F1 is going to look for is Bangkok, possibly Phuket, as they have the airport facilities  . They just don't have the location. Forget the grandstands; there is a need to have secure buildings for the cars. 

[KireB]

That would be very cool. I will go for sure.

[NoDisplayName]

They need to stick with what they know, focus on their abilities and what is attainable.

 

Thailand already has the world's most dangerous roads, so lean into it!

 

 

[sikishrory]

Thailand seems to enjoy reporting it is considering hosting the F1 rather than actually hosting the F1.

Been reading this for years.

[jas007]

They do it in other cities. Why not Bangkok?  Is it really that costly to set up?

[connda]

F1 - By the Wealthy and Connected, for the Wealthy and Connected.

[DonniePeverley]

It's expensive to set up. 

 

Will the cheap chav Brits, cheap indians, tour groups from China really be lining up for this ?