HM The King Greets F1 Star Webber Ahead Of Bangkok Event

[animatic]

What a PR coup for Red Bull. Their logo plastered all over a car next to the king. I'm surprised this was allowed, to be honest.

Either PR genius or an example of commercialization creeping ever further into even the most revered facets of life in Thailand, depending on your viewpoint.

Or maybe more simply HRM likes watching F1 too and asked to meet him and see the car first hand.

I doubt he would have asked to have them repaint a car just in case he was pictured with it.

I too appreciate that HRM is invigorated enough to find pleasure in this meeting.

[Chris Lawrence]

What a wonderful gesture by Red Bull and Mark Webber. I hoped the King enjoyed the meeting.

[MaiDong]

Lucky lucky Mark Webber, we were literally being carried by the crowd, there was so many people, he was almost all alone(apart from the totty) on a massive articulated float! The lucky bugger!

[sbk]

What a PR coup for Red Bull. Their logo plastered all over a car next to the king. I'm surprised this was allowed, to be honest.

Either PR genius or an example of commercialization creeping ever further into even the most revered facets of life in Thailand, depending on your viewpoint.

Or maybe more simply HRM likes watching F1 too and asked to meet him and see the car first hand.

I doubt he would have asked to have them repaint a car just in case he was pictured with it.

I too appreciate that HRM is invigorated enough to find pleasure in this meeting.

Or maybe it has to do with the fact that ALL formula one teams are sponsored and the liveries of their sponsors are prominently displayed. Since, um oh 1960. damn that creeping commercialism.

[retell]

Having been a Skydiver, Hang Glider Pilot, Pilot, SCUBA Diver, Biker, ++ I have nothing but disdain for those who wish to diminish the fun in this increasingly duller world and I include those who wish for sex only in full body armor. F1 is great stuff, dull if you are in the crowd just getting the sound smell and a micro second of view so a Box job is best with a glass in one hand and a chick in the other.

very very wel said i say

stop putting down what you dont personaly like and thhus is bad

is all bad in the world then the people critisizing F1 should only be allowed to walk ,no car no bike no taxi no bus

[hanuman1]

What a PR coup for Red Bull. Their logo plastered all over a car next to the king. I'm surprised this was allowed, to be honest.

Either PR genius or an example of commercialization creeping ever further into even the most revered facets of life in Thailand, depending on your viewpoint.

Or maybe more simply HRM likes watching F1 too and asked to meet him and see the car first hand.

I doubt he would have asked to have them repaint a car just in case he was pictured with it.

I too appreciate that HRM is invigorated enough to find pleasure in this meeting.

"We learned that HM the King has interest in Formula One racing. So we asked for permission to bring the car for him to view at close quarters."

The boss of Red Bull apparently took the initial step in arranging the event.

[richardpwills]

Is F1 coming to Bangkok then?

[retell]

great to see our king interested that he come from his hospital bed to see one of his passions i guess

bad words are beeeing written aal the time on any topic starting here on thaivisa.com

but iff one doest like the wy thailand is doing things then all off those critisizers schould be on the plane bacck to where they came from

[dude007]

with all due respect to HM, I can't get behind F1 racing. I've been to a few races, years back (my uncle was a course official and took me to Brands Hatch and Silverstone a few times, waaay back in the 1960's). However, F1 racing is on the way out, and here's why:

1. Burns a lot of fossil fuel

2. Hyper commercial. All drivers and cars are plastered with decals over every square inch. That's what we'd like to see politician's do, though their clothes and vehicles don't have enough yardage to showcase all the companies that prop them up.

3. Marginally athletic skills are needed. Much like golf, it fits with the premise that: the less amount of stamina, the higher the pay-outs for contestants. Look at sports which require a whole lot of stamina & athletic skills: Iron Man/Triathlons and Rock climbing and marathons. Then look at how much they pay out compared with low-stamina sports like golf and F1 racing.

What an awful coincidence that this forum starts on such a negative note. Brahmburgers, you will soon be victim of a heart attack if you continue to systematically complain about every single sport in which you see no need for stamina... Did you ever endure a 5G accelleration in your life? Take a beer and walk on the sunny side of the street my friend and let F1 go on.

[retell]

Just got back, what a crush! Well worth it though, we were in there like tinned sardines and only got fleeting climpses of Mark Webber in his machine but WOW what a noise, what a rush, I'm deffinately going to Malaysia next season to watch the race, can't wait!

glad to hear the street is repaired so a .5 inch high car can race there

still wonder iff he'll wil get a speeding ticket thou

[barrybike]

would be good to see thailand holding a grand prix ....but doubt it as malaysia have the asian gp already

[retell]

hey guys and girls nobody got a link so we can see a little movie of this stuff

come on upload

[retell]

aboat movie from that f1 today my upload is more terrible than my download

tot satelite 265 kb down

[retell]

Can't wait till Bangkok holds its own F1 race.

Wouldn't that be fun and would really draw Tourist's if not a lot of ex pats from all over south east Asia.

dont forget about a 3 day permanent traficjam

[MaiDong]

Just got back, what a crush! Well worth it though, we were in there like tinned sardines and only got fleeting climpses of Mark Webber in his machine but WOW what a noise, what a rush, I'm deffinately going to Malaysia next season to watch the race, can't wait!

glad to hear the street is repaired so a .5 inch high car can race there

still wonder iff he'll wil get a speeding ticket thou

They customise the car so the ride height is the highest it'll go, mostly so he doesn't slide into spectators

[softgeorge]

I just can't get into motor racing. I can stand on a footpath and watch cars go by it is all the same to me it's not really a sport. But good luck to those that can see something in it.

[retell]

Just got back, what a crush! Well worth it though, we were in there like tinned sardines and only got fleeting climpses of Mark Webber in his machine but WOW what a noise, what a rush, I'm deffinately going to Malaysia next season to watch the race, can't wait!

glad to hear the street is repaired so a .5 inch high car can race there

still wonder iff he'll wil get a speeding ticket thou

maidong if you want to see racing go to your nearest highway

[transam]

Although l have little interest in F1, l think it great that the King has shown interest to the people of his modern youthful out look on life and modern sport, great stuff. .

[MaiDong]

Just got back, what a crush! Well worth it though, we were in there like tinned sardines and only got fleeting climpses of Mark Webber in his machine but WOW what a noise, what a rush, I'm deffinately going to Malaysia next season to watch the race, can't wait!

glad to hear the street is repaired so a .5 inch high car can race there

still wonder iff he'll wil get a speeding ticket thou

maidong if you want to see racing go to your nearest highway

Yes, indeed.

But anyway, here are a couple of pics of the crush, this was jsut after Webber had done his laps, I was up on the wall of the monument near the entrance to Khao San Road, it was so chock-a-block that I couldn't even get my phone out of my pocket til the people started to move away!

[MaiDong]

I just can't get into motor racing. I can stand on a footpath and watch cars go by it is all the same to me it's not really a sport. But good luck to those that can see something in it.

I don't mean to sound patronising but that shows a lack of excitement in you

I went to see a truck rac when I was little and the noise and excitement were amazing, ever since then I've been amazed by motorsport, if you've been to a truly impressive racing meet or similar then you just can't help feel the buzz.

The F1 car today was so noisy, so shocking(for the babies in the crowd), every single person there was loving it, look at the crowds, it was absolutely rammed full and I bet most of the people there weren't really F1 fans, more likely they were just curious, and curiousity is a good thing.

Get yourself along to even a pickup truck race on the outskirts of bkk and I bet you come away pleasantly surprised - if not a bit bunged up by the plumes of diesel flying out the back of them :S

Motor racing on TV can be boring, I fully agree, if I wasn't such an armchair fan of the tiniest details of F1 I could have fallen asleep watching some races over the last few years, but actually near one of those cars, there's no way of falling asleep, they're - I hate to say this word - AWESOME.

[softgeorge]

I just can't get into motor racing. I can stand on a footpath and watch cars go by it is all the same to me it's not really a sport. But good luck to those that can see something in it.

I don't mean to sound patronising but that shows a lack of excitement in you

I went to see a truck rac when I was little and the noise and excitement were amazing, ever since then I've been amazed by motorsport, if you've been to a truly impressive racing meet or similar then you just can't help feel the buzz.

The F1 car today was so noisy, so shocking(for the babies in the crowd), every single person there was loving it, look at the crowds, it was absolutely rammed full and I bet most of the people there weren't really F1 fans, more likely they were just curious, and curiousity is a good thing.

Get yourself along to even a pickup truck race on the outskirts of bkk and I bet you come away pleasantly surprised - if not a bit bunged up by the plumes of diesel flying out the back of them :S

Motor racing on TV can be boring, I fully agree, if I wasn't such an armchair fan of the tiniest details of F1 I could have fallen asleep watching some races over the last few years, but actually near one of those cars, there's no way of falling asleep, they're - I hate to say this word - AWESOME.

I worked at the F1 in Melbourne 4 yrs ago (Policing) and was totaly bored for 3 days. I am more of a team orientated, contact sports person. Australian Rules Football, cricket. Not knocking motor racing but just not my scene find it dull and boring.

[MaiDong]

I worked at the F1 in Melbourne 4 yrs ago (Policing) and was totaly bored for 3 days. I am more of a team orientated, contact sports person. Australian Rules Football, cricket. Not knocking motor racing but just not my scene find it dull and boring.

Fair enough mate, I get carried along by the excitement of the noise and sights, I suppose this is just another example of how we're all different

[cook]

F1 is often boring on TV, and you can only see a small part of the race if you go to the track. Alonso followed one car he couldn't overtake for about half of the last race, what a yawn.

Motobike racing is much more exciting, no pitstops and the lead changes on the track.

Green Day wrote a song about Mark Webber "Nice guys finish last". Sorry Mark but you're much too nice for F1.

[sirchai]

F1 is often boring on TV, and you can only see a small part of the race if you go to the track. Alonso followed one car he couldn't overtake for about half of the last race, what a yawn.

Motobike racing is much more exciting, no pitstops and the lead changes on the track.

Green Day wrote a song about Mark Webber "Nice guys finish last". Sorry Mark but you're much too nice for F1.

F1 might be very interesting for many people, doing high speed. Technology is being used for ordinary cars driving on the streets, it helps to improve our safety. So why not F1?

Aehm, what's a "Motobike"????

My dog likes to eat Brits, my cat loves to bite Americans. Where's the difference? :jap:

[metisdead]

Posts with oblique references to HM the King have been removed from view.

[richardpwills]

Im a massive F1 fan and have been to races and am glued to the Tv every weekend when its on. I agree that watching it on TV is better in a way as you get to see replays, stats with he commentary and seeing the full race and not just one corner where you will be standing but its always worth going to a F1 race in person to see and hear one of these things in action. You under estimate them when watching them on TV.

Its amazing technology and amazing engineering and personally its my best sport.

[fred007]

Gas guzzling...

As of 2013 greener F1

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has approved new regulations which will see the 2.4 litre V8s currently used by Formula One teams replaced by four cylinder 1.6 litre engines from 2013. The decision to give the go-ahead to the changes follows lengthy discussions between the FIA, engine manufacturers and specialists

Full story: http://www.formula1....0/12/11597.html

Would love to see F1 in Thailand, been down to Sapang KL twice but now that is getting expensive, understand Thailand did enter into negotiations with "Bernie Megabucks" but when he realised that the custom guys were going to make more then him with 80% import duty on the cars, discussions broke down.

With so many Circuits world wide I would love to see a new formula using a alternative fuel like hydrogen.

Only 80% Import Duty.................Bernie you were getting a bargain......i thought 200% plus bribes was normal.....

[lebelge]

Great story, great to see the H.M. the King take an interest in a wonderful sport such as F1 racing, and good on you Mark Webber to come to Thailand to promote it......

Looking forward to next year's races

[asiawatcher]

All the wasted debates on this - simply - F1 is coming to Thailand and about time. That will boost awareness of Thailand, boost visitors numbers and dump billions of Baht into the Thai economy. Like any professional sport, it take effort and that is part of the competitiveness of both man and machines. Next....

[webfact]

Wonder and thunder on the Street of Kings

By ONRAVEE TANGMEESANG

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

Thousands of people, both Thai and foreigners, gathered along Rajdamnoen Avenue yesterday to be part of the historic Street of Kings Rajdamnoen Red Bull Bangkok 2010 event.

The traffic around the area was completely shut down at about 1.30pm. The show was scheduled to start at 2pm, yet many people came very early to secure the best spots on two sides of the road from Phan Fah Leelat Bridge, which was the starting point, all the way to Khok Wua intersection. Democracy Monument, in the middle of the intersection, was also full of people.

Due to the large amount of people, it was difficult to tell people to stay behind the barricades for safety. So, it took about 30 minutes for police and officials to get everything under control before the show started.

Jirapat Towanabut, 48, travelled over 350 kilometres from Phichit to Bangkok in order to take part in the event. He said it was worth it because it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I've brought my earplugs along. I've heard that it will be really loud," Jirapat said.

The event kicked off with three parades from Red Bull. The first parade was "the train to honour the king." It was a reproduction of a jazz concert played by Koh Mr Saxman and the band to honour HM the King, who is well-known for his proficiency in playing jazz. There was a parade of students and people wearing pink shirts, as pink is a lucky colour for the King. They all carried and waved Thai flags.

After, there was the Red Bull blessing procession. This featured adventurous climbing, with Ananda Everingham as a presenter. It also had deejay Dome Pakorn Lum spinning records to cheer up the crowd. Screaming from girls to the two hottest male celebs was heard as they moved along the street.

The last attraction was Forumla One driver Mark Webber, who stood, waved - and wai'ed - to the crowd. On both sides of the Australian were two gorgeous female celebrities: Aum Patcharapa and Ploy Cherman.

It was not just a parade. The show ended with Red Bull stunt driving - or drifting - team, led by Thailand's number one professional drift driver Sak "Kiki" Nana with his trusted BMW.

At 3pm, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak presided over the |event at Maha Jessada Bodin courtyard pavilion.

Mrs Saipin Phaholyothin, a Red Bull executive, offered a garland, while Mr Saravoot Yoovidhya, the managing director of Red Bull Beverage, presented the program agenda and Chalerm Yoovidhya, chairman of Redbull Co Ltd (London), offered a souvenir to the Princess.

Later, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra reported on the objectives of the event, which aimed to celebrate HM the King's birthday, as well as to show a good image of a peaceful Bangkok to people around the world.

The Princess pressed the button to open the way for the first Formula 1 race-car on the streets of Bangkok.

Mark Webber drove his Formula 1 racer past the Phan Fah Leelat Bridge all the way to Khok Wua intersection, going around Democracy Monument and back to the start pointing four times.

While the Formula 1 car moved, the sound of its engine was thunderous. Everyone looked excited.

When Webber finished his last lap, he emerged from the car and gave a wai to the crowd and held a Thai flag over his head.

Despite the long hours of waiting for the show, a foreign tourist from Sweden who has been coming to Thailand for 25 years said he enjoyed the spectacle, as they did not have this kind of entertainment in his country anymore.

After the show was over, everyone was talking about how powerful the Formula 1 race car was and some hoped that Thailand could be able to host an F1 racing event some time in the future.

-- The Nation 2010-12-19