Report Thailand's Grand Ambition: Hosting F1 with 40 Billion Baht Plan

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand is racing towards a new ambition: hosting a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix by 2028, backed by a substantial 40 billion baht investment. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong on June 17, the nation’s Cabinet has given the green light to this high-octane initiative aimed at transforming Thailand into a world-class sporting destination.

 

Surawong revealed that a specialised working group will be established to delve into logistics and feasibility over the coming years. This project is anticipated to significantly boost international tourism and enhance Thailand's global sporting reputation.

 

"The Cabinet has approved Thailand's proposal to host a Formula One race, allocating a 40 billion baht budget to study the logistics," Surawong declared at Government House.

 

For years, Thailand has flirted with the idea of hosting a Grand Prix, exploring options like Bangkok street circuits and securing partnerships with international investors. As Singapore has enthralled F1 enthusiasts with its dazzling night race since 2008, Thailand is now poised to create its own spectacle on the F1 calendar.

 

If successful, the Thai Grand Prix would join legendary races in Monaco, Silverstone, and Suzuka, becoming a prestigious stop that attracts mega-events and affluent tourists. This aligns with Thailand's broader economic strategy, which includes opening registration for the "We Travel Together" scheme and discussing a 157 billion baht stimulus package on June 18.

 

Thailand’s F1 aspiration is about more than just motorsport. It’s a strategic move to rebrand the nation as a global hub for sport, entertainment, and high-profile tourism. With engines potentially revving by 2028, Thailand could soon race onto the world stage, boosting its status and economy significantly.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-17

 

 

[SABloke]

44 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

allocating a 40 billion baht budget to study the logistics

 

Surely, this has to be a typo. There is no way a feasability study would cost over 1 Billion USD. 🤨

[Quentin Zen]

money well spent.  I hope next year 80 billion, then 300 billion.   In America, they spent 2 trillion to race around homeless people in SF.  Wow, amazing.   I was there and hurt my toe.   Hospital bill only 49 million.  I got super lucky.    Remember, as long as this helps one person it's worth it.  

[Briggsy]

They have been targetting this for over 20 years.

[redwood1]

13 hours ago, SABloke said:

 

Surely, this has to be a typo. There is no way a feasability study would cost over 1 Billion USD. 🤨

 

And all the pigs at the trough grunted......1 billion for a study....Very very good..

[Upnotover]

14 hours ago, SABloke said:

 

Surely, this has to be a typo. There is no way a feasability study would cost over 1 Billion USD. 🤨

It is jumbled up reporting.  Everywhere else carrying this story describes the THB40 billion as Thailands "bid" for the contract.

[NoDisplayName]

"Hub of 40 billion baht budgets to study the logistics"

[save the frogs]

i cant stand watching f1, but good for economic boost

[seajae]

Biggest problem will be building a race track/road that doesnt fall apart within a few months like most roads in Thailand do

[newbee2022]

How many times we have this to read?

I think in the last 3 months almost every week 👎

[Digitalbanana]

15 hours ago, SABloke said:

 

Surely, this has to be a typo. There is no way a feasability study would cost over 1 Billion USD. 🤨

Maybe lost in translation? The budget likely covers hosting rights, infrastructure development, and event operations over five years.

[Thingamabob]

13 hours ago, Briggsy said:

They have been targetting this for over 20 years.

I remember the possibility of a street race in Bangkok being discussed in the early 1960s. 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

aimed at transforming Thailand into a world-class sporting destination.

I thought Pattaya already held that title?

[kingstonkid]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand is racing towards a new ambition: hosting a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix by 2028, backed by a substantial 40 billion baht investment. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong on June 17, the nation’s Cabinet has given the green light to this high-octane initiative aimed at transforming Thailand into a world-class sporting destination.

 

Surawong revealed that a specialised working group will be established to delve into logistics and feasibility over the coming years. This project is anticipated to significantly boost international tourism and enhance Thailand's global sporting reputation.

 

"The Cabinet has approved Thailand's proposal to host a Formula One race, allocating a 40 billion baht budget to study the logistics," Surawong declared at Government House.

 

For years, Thailand has flirted with the idea of hosting a Grand Prix, exploring options like Bangkok street circuits and securing partnerships with international investors. As Singapore has enthralled F1 enthusiasts with its dazzling night race since 2008, Thailand is now poised to create its own spectacle on the F1 calendar.

 

If successful, the Thai Grand Prix would join legendary races in Monaco, Silverstone, and Suzuka, becoming a prestigious stop that attracts mega-events and affluent tourists. This aligns with Thailand's broader economic strategy, which includes opening registration for the "We Travel Together" scheme and discussing a 157 billion baht stimulus package on June 18.

 

Thailand’s F1 aspiration is about more than just motorsport. It’s a strategic move to rebrand the nation as a global hub for sport, entertainment, and high-profile tourism. With engines potentially revving by 2028, Thailand could soon race onto the world stage, boosting its status and economy significantly.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-17

 

 

 

 

Aww a cheerleader for PTP.

 

This is a country that has issues that need to be resolved, over and above what is happening.

 

The bottom line is that if there was interest in groups such as CP. PTT and such that would benefit.  They are the people who should be ponying up to the bar with the money for the plan.

 

The sooner the Thaksin trials start and finish the sooner the wallets of the PTP high ups will get closed.

 

 

[Grusa]

What an utter waste of money.  Watch paint dry instead, it's more exciting and slightly cheaper, and a lot quieter.

[spidermike007]

Thailand seems to be the Hub of grand ambitions, and it's fascinating how rather than change the things that have been plaguing the nation for a decade or longer, and engage in major improvements like public and traffic safety, improving law enforcement, cleaning up the air, and the environment, getting rid of luxury taxes, and doing other things that would really attract affluent tourists, they just keep on engaging in this sort of silly desire to put a Band-Aid on a huge boil. 

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

How many times we have this to read?

I think in the last 3 months almost every week 👎

 

Seems to regurgitated every other week.

[KhunBENQ]

As others said, this country needs so much development OUTSIDE of glitzy Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket.

Get motorways finished for the public not for billionaire business.

M6 still unfinished, more than a decade now.

Big waste of money for that high tech circus.

[NanLaew]

2028? Will the war with Cambodia will be over by then?

[TroubleandGrumpy]

ROFLOL - Thailand the hub of feasibility plans that give money to wealthy 'friends and family' - but mostly result in SFA.  Have they got money left over from all the 'land bridge' studies? 

 

Anyone else remember this drivel from February 2024 ?

 

PM Srettha Thavisin has unveiled Thailand Vision 2030 with a commitment to boosting Thailand as a global industrial hub, driving the economy towards a sustainable future, including tourism, wellness & medical, food, aviation, future automotive manufacturing, technology, and finance.

 

The first vision is the goal to become a Tourism Hub. Despite Thailand being the world 50th largest country, it holds the eighth place for world's tourist destinations. The tourism industry generates income for over one third of the Thai population, and it is estimated to have an economic value of over 2.3 trillion baht, or about 70% of the annual expenditure budget. The government will unceasingly promote Thai soft power, Thailand's life and soul, to be in the spotlight worldwide in terms of culture, festivals, concerts, films, arts, food, and notably, sports and martial arts, which are the identities of the Thai people.

 

This place just gets funnier and funnier - the utter silliness and ignorance is just astounding.  Thailand is funnier than Cheers and Monty Python put together - but they both made more sense.  

[crazykopite]

40 billion baht where are they going to get it from the country is on its knees 

[unblocktheplanet]

I suggest Pratunam to Asoke on a Friday night! We've got lots of sportin' life here. That's where I'll be on a Friday night!

[mancub]

1 hour ago, crazykopite said:

40 billion baht where are they going to get it from the country is on its knees 

Can't they borrow it back from the bt10000 bribe given to each and every citizen............or would that be flawed ?

[IsaanGuy]

This obsession with F1 is ridiculous. The money would better spent on the countries infrastructure that would benefit it’s people rather than a few to line their own pockets.

Look what happened in India, $400 million spent on making a circuit for just three races where tickets were too expensive for locals to go..

Then there’s Vietnam. $600 million spent on circuit in Hanoi. Covid came and the race never happened and now is abandoned.

To keep saying it’ll create tourism is a dangerous fallacy. No date has been suggested and price is critical factor to.

This is nothing but a wet dream for some very rich vainglorious Hiso’s to line their pockets!

[JimHuaHin]

What a total waste of money.

 

Of course, we all know where most of the Baht 40 billion will go.

[natway09]

For a developing country to even consider chasing F1 is simply silly.

Even Korea could not make a go of it & those in the know in Malaysia wish they had never heard of F1.

These two are the only 2 that I have been unvolved in.

For a 5 day event the returns are just not there

By the time everybody is paid, the infrastructure is in place (if roadrace millions spent every year to 

get the thing ready & put it to bed after, it is hardly worth it.

As already stated monies could be spent on much more important issues

[cynic1]

Great idea. Build it Buri ram they already have a good race track there and it will give me great entertainment. Buri Ram will boom. The football stadium there is world class also and thy now have a good airport.