Report Bangkok Eyes 2028 F1 Debut in Chatuchak with Alex Albon in the Spotlight

[webfact]

ASEAN NOW composite

 

Bangkok is revving up to potentially host a Formula 1 (F1) race in Chatuchak district by 2028. With an in-depth study of a viable business model on the agenda, Thai driver Alex Albon is set to boost promotional efforts.

 

Despite cabinet delays, the initiative is in motion with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports seeking government approval to commence groundwork.

 

A budget of 16 million Thai Baht has been earmarked for the initial study following last month's memorandum with F1.

 

However, progress waits on advisory feedback from pertinent ministries. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong remains optimistic yet cautious about the investment, pushing for private sector involvement with governmental support if needed.

 

Interest from multinational sponsors hinges on Thailand securing an FIA licence. Alex Albon, a current Williams driver, has pledged his promotional support upon licence acquisition.

 

Minister Sorawong highlighted that the cabinet's upcoming deliberation focuses on evaluating investments, organisational logistics, and infrastructure needs.

 

Should approval be granted, Bangkok could join Singapore as a premier F1 host in Southeast Asia. The proposition favours a street circuit, with Chatuchak named as the prime location, anticipating a standard five-year F1 contract.

 

As 2025 is marked as Thailand's “Amazing Grand Tourism and Sports Year,” efforts to feature F1 racing are part of broader tourism and sports investments.

 

Proposed refurbishments include a vast stimulus fund of 157 billion baht, targeting enhancements like the Rajamangala National Stadium, poised to host sports and concerts.

 

This drive for sporting excellence aligns with ambitions to elevate Bangkok and Thailand into the global arena of prestigious sporting destinations while concurrently boosting the tourism sector.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-13

 

 

[JoePai]

A budget of 16 million Thai Bah for the initial study 

 

Bye bye  

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

ASEAN NOW composite

 

Bangkok is revving up to potentially host a Formula 1 (F1) race in Chatuchak district by 2028. With an in-depth study of a viable business model on the agenda, Thai driver Alex Albon is set to boost promotional efforts.

 

Despite cabinet delays, the initiative is in motion with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports seeking government approval to commence groundwork.

 

A budget of 16 million Thai Baht has been earmarked for the initial study following last month's memorandum with F1.

 

However, progress waits on advisory feedback from pertinent ministries. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong remains optimistic yet cautious about the investment, pushing for private sector involvement with governmental support if needed.

 

Interest from multinational sponsors hinges on Thailand securing an FIA licence. Alex Albon, a current Williams driver, has pledged his promotional support upon licence acquisition.

 

Minister Sorawong highlighted that the cabinet's upcoming deliberation focuses on evaluating investments, organisational logistics, and infrastructure needs.

 

Should approval be granted, Bangkok could join Singapore as a premier F1 host in Southeast Asia. The proposition favours a street circuit, with Chatuchak named as the prime location, anticipating a standard five-year F1 contract.

 

As 2025 is marked as Thailand's “Amazing Grand Tourism and Sports Year,” efforts to feature F1 racing are part of broader tourism and sports investments.

 

Proposed refurbishments include a vast stimulus fund of 157 billion baht, targeting enhancements like the Rajamangala National Stadium, poised to host sports and concerts.

 

This drive for sporting excellence aligns with ambitions to elevate Bangkok and Thailand into the global arena of prestigious sporting destinations while concurrently boosting the tourism sector.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-13

 

 

Never ending story?

Every now and then this nonsense got it's way to the news (in AN).

Wasted time 

[hotchilli]

2028 F1 not a hope in hell of it happening.

[Teddy Boy]

[Hardcastle P]

No mention of how much the Ptomotors of F1 want out of this,would that not be a good place to start insed they spend our money on a feasibility study.

[thesetat]

7 hours ago, JoePai said:

A budget of 16 million Thai Bah for the initial study 

 

Bye bye  

And the corruption for this idea begins.. 16 mil to start. 

[Antiparovian]

16m Baht is absolutely chicken feed in F1 terms. Most of it will be trousered anyway. Fecking ludicrous.

[MangoKorat]

Completion of the M6 motorway is going on 6 years late. The Bangkok - Korat High Speed Rail system is due for completion in 2030 (already revised) and judging by how they are getting along with that, there's no chance of them making that timeline.

 

From what I can make out (from a materials supplier), the main problems with both those projects have been funding.  No doubt a good proportion of it disappeared, say no more on that subject.

 

And they're going to prepare an F1 circuit in 3 years?  Dream on!

 

The 16 million for the 'intial study' will come in handy though.😉

[kingstonkid]

6 hours ago, thesetat said:

And the corruption for this idea begins.. 16 mil to start. 

Check the compnaies and how many are PTP and Thaksin owned

 

The only way they can run it in Chatuchak is to shut down the market and build a paddock/  

 

Yeah that makes sense put a crap load of people out of work and ruin one of your busiest tourist attractions.

[Thingamabob]

That gives them just 3 years to complete the 'study', get final F1A approval, and prepare a circuit and all related facilities. Dream on, although no doubt a few people will be eyeing with interest the 16 million Baht for the study. Incidentally Red Bull made a big mistake in releasing Alex Albon. A genuinely talented race driver.

[phetphet]

Too many potholes and dodgy drains for F1 cars. Will cost a fortune to repair and prepare. 16 million will be a drop in the ocean.

[impulse]

2028.  That's just about enough time to prepare Chatuchak for Death Race, Beyond Ludicrous.

 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/13/2025 at 2:40 PM, Hardcastle P said:

No mention of how much the Ptomotors of F1 want out of this,would that not be a good place to start insed they spend our money on a feasibility study.

What makes you think that Thailand is unaware of the financial commitment?

[Liverpool Lou]

22 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

The only way they can run it in Chatuchak is to shut down the market and build a paddock/  

 

Yeah that makes sense put a crap load of people out of work and ruin one of your busiest tourist attractions.

Agreed, your idea was crap.

[CallumWK]

25 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What makes you think that Thailand is unaware of the financial commitment?

 

Why you think they need to do a study if they knew everything already?

[kingstonkid]

On 6/14/2025 at 7:46 AM, Thingamabob said:

That gives them just 3 years to complete the 'study', get final F1A approval, and prepare a circuit and all related facilities. Dream on, although no doubt a few people will be eyeing with interest the 16 million Baht for the study. Incidentally Red Bull made a big mistake in releasing Alex Albon. A genuinely talented race driver.

 

 

This is a pie in the sky designed to make rich people richer with the studies that will happen.  

 

First if they plan on using the Chatuchak areas they have to figure out what to do withthe busses and traffic that goes through there.  

They also have to figure out what to do with the JJ market. It will have to close for at least a year to guild the paddock and redo the roads.

 

Where and how will people get to a nd from the race if they have to close the BTS MRT