Pictures courtesy of Siam Sport

 

Thailand is poised to rev up its motorsport scene with plans to host the F1 World Championship on a dynamic street circuit in Bangkok, rather than investing in a dedicated racetrack. Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed this ambitious plan, aligning with Formula One’s preferences and the enthusiastic backing of Thailand's private sector.

 

Minister Surawong, alongside Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, recently travelled to Monaco to study its iconic street circuit, garnering insights into hosting a similar event in Thailand. This visit followed a key Memorandum of Understanding signed with Formula One, signalling significant progress in their discussions. Though official details are yet to be disclosed at F1’s request, Surawong hinted at positive developments.

 

“Under Prime Minister Settha Thavisin, Thailand planned to host F1 in 2027,” Surawong said. “Despite delays from government transitions, we’re now set to support a 2028 event. The street circuit model, akin to Bangkok’s urban layout, matches F1's preference to skip building new tracks.”

 

Instead of investing in costly new infrastructure, the focus shifts to crafting a street race route through Bangkok’s heart. This strategy seeks to draw global attention and integrate motorsport excitement with the city’s daily bustle, enhancing business opportunities year-round as reported by Siam Sport.

 

“We’re not building a stadium just for F1,” Surawong stated. “A street circuit brings maximal benefits: it's spectacular, accessible, and promotes continuous economic engagement beyond race days.”

 

With strong private sector interest, the government is closely collaborating with design teams to finalise a course that suits Thailand’s vibrant capital. This innovative approach aims to transform Bangkok into a prestigious international motorsport hub, with global F1 fans eagerly anticipating this new addition to the racing calendar.

 

As plans gather momentum, Thailand looks set to inject fresh energy into its tourism and sports sectors, accelerating towards the dream of hosting a thrilling Grand Prix on Bangkok’s bustling streets.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-30

 

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

plans to host the F1 World Championship on a dynamic street circuit in Bangkok

Growing up in the states, I never was really exposed to any F1 races simply because it wasn't a popular sport at the time for us hillbillies. Later in life while living in Thailand it seemed like the only sports shown on the boob tube was soccer and F1. I thought soccer was boring and soon started to watch more of the races and quickly discovered what all the excitement was about. 

 

I am all for the Big Mango hosting a F1 race and after being here for 25 years, I know the Thai officials are quite capable of working through the expensive obstacles. However in my mind's eye, there is going to be one big problem. How to stop Somchai from peddling his wares down the raceway?

It takes Thailand many years to build a few kilometers of roads.It also takes Thailand many repairs that take years to refurbish with yearly repairs due to poor construction of the roads or poor materials being used. As seen all over Thailand with highways closed for months to repair a few hundred meters. 

 

I foresee huge traffic jams as Thailand tries to make Bangkoks roads suitable to host F! racing standards. If they can even accomplish it in 3 years time. Lots of road closures and repaving of roads plus the yearly repairs to maintain it until they hold the F1 racing. 

 

The costs for such a thing to both the government and the people who must reroute and lose time will be enormous. Definitely outweighing the gain from holding such a sport. 

 

Given this, i do not see why Thailand does not use a less crowded city or make the track in rural areas that are paved already. 

 

Also, the F1 racing commission is not divulging any details to any agreement so all this hype may just be just the government giving false information based on their hopes the F! racing commission makes a decision to have a race in Bangkok. 

 Bangkok street racing. Plenty of that already.

Those F1 cars will need to beef up their suspension. 

Does this OP align with the image of F1 in Monaco?

Racing at 300kph through the streets of BKK is really hard to imagine......really difficult to prepare for and extremely difficult to manage. But, it would be fantastic if this event could be pulled off!

Will Rama II Road be part of the circuit?

to transform Bangkok into a prestigious international motorsport hub                                                                                 Really? Another Hub ?

 

Announcer....and it looks like some sort of delivery bike has entered the track. 

17 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Announcer....and it looks like some sort of delivery bike has entered the track. 

 

Ha Ha , beat me to it , I would have gone with a food cart.

1 hour ago, George Bowman said:

I thought soccer was boring and soon started to watch more of the races and quickly discovered what all the excitement was about. 

 

Soccer = 22 men kick a ball for 90 minutes, mostly non-stop, compared with the game called American Football which is stop/start for about 4 hours.

F1 racing = 20 cars, the driver's faces unseen, going round and round every couple of minutes, for about 90 minutes. Spectators at the venue do not get to see very much.

I watch both by the way, better on telly.

Singapore forks up a whopping 140 US million dollars to host the f1.

Why?

 

I'm so sick of this coddling to tourism and wasted money like "space program" and hubs of endless pipedreams.

 

Thailand needs Education, better and safer roads, poverty eradication, a solid plan for growth in property, technology, transportation, clean cities, air.

 

Thailand doesn't need hiso F1 and sure doesn't need casinos

 

Conspiracy theorist in me thinks it's just some bs working group that gets paid ... syphons off money like all the hubs fantasies

 

6 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Soccer = 22 men kick a ball for 90 minutes, mostly non-stop, compared with the game called American Football which is stop/start for about 4 hours.

F1 racing = 20 cars, the driver's faces unseen, going round and round every couple of minutes, for about 90 minutes. Spectators at the venue do not get to see very much.

I watch both by the way, better on telly.

 

I think watching sports on a television unless you regularly go to matches / games is extremely boring.

 

Watching F1 is more boring than that.

 

Downvote away lol

Sure it will happen. 

 

 

15 minutes ago, NE1 said:

 

Ha Ha , beat me to it , I would have gone with a food cart.

But wait, its now entered onto the sidewalk and is going the wrong way.....

2 minutes ago, JaxxBKK said:

 

I think watching sports on a television unless you regularly go to matches / games is extremely boring.

 

Watching F1 is more boring than that.

 

Downvote away lol

Watching soccer/football on TV you see more of the play, and replays of course. At the live match, a lot of the play can be 100 yards away. And I've already said about F1. 

38 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Announcer....and it looks like some sort of delivery bike has entered the track. 

 

I gave you a laugh but this is so funny bc so true.

 

Will be best comment of the day 😂😂

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Minister Surawong, alongside Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, recently travelled to Monaco to study its iconic street circuit,

 

 

That has to be the most boring race on the F1 circuit.

 

No where to pass , they even forced all the cars to make Two pitstops each just so the " train " was broken.

If that was anywhere else but Monaco , they would have outed it years ago.

1 minute ago, JaxxBKK said:

 

I gave you a laugh but this is so funny bc so true.

 

Will be best comment of the day 😂😂

 

A no entrance sign will be like catnip to grabman somchai.

Has a F1 car ever been swallowed up on track before from the track suddenly collapsing in a massive hole  🤔🙈

Be a lot of praying that doesn't happen with the way the roads are going in bkk .

I wonder how many officials will be making the trek to Monaco to study their racetrack and organization.

 

Not the worst place for a boondoggle 

How will F1 cars go dodging the falling concrete from the overhead road construction?

I'm not sure where Thailand would fit into the current F1 calendar, especially in 2027. Earliest contracts ending are for Singapore and Mexico end in 2028, Japan 2029 and Brazil, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Austria and China in 2030. Mexico may/may not renew as Checo is currently no longer driving in F1. The teams and drivers already think the season is too long, so adding another race might be wishful thinking

 

38 minutes ago, JaxxBKK said:

 

I think watching sports on a television unless you regularly go to matches / games is extremely boring.

 

Watching F1 is more boring than that.

Sometimes it can be quite difficult to determine if an opinion is formed by lack of intellect or just being ill-informed.

I think it's like riding a dead horse.

The entrance fee is said to be around 35 mill Euro. (That's why there is no F1 race in Germany I read.

And Thailand is short of money.

There are obviously more important issues to boost economy. As safety on roads or drug problem aso.

2 minutes ago, wozzlegummich said:

 

Sometimes it can be quite difficult to determine if an opinion is formed by lack of intellect or just being ill-informed.

 

Team sport is for uncomplicated people. Watching it on TV is even more vapid.

 

Yeah, footie junkies all Oxford Cambridge grads 👍👍

Great idea but they would have to make sure that all the traffic lights are on green during the race. They could have the pit in soi 6 so the drivers could have a quicky pit stop.

Strange how a Bangkok F1 race always seems to be about three years away - since 20 years!

 

I'll believe it once it's included in the official F1 schedule.

Will the cars be forced to stop at the local tailors for a look-see?