Isaan Happy To Host Formula One Event

[Lite Beer]

Isaan happy to host Formula One event
Panyaporn Saithong,
Nattanut Wongpariyakul,
Akkarachai Kantamala
The Nation on Sunday

A man joins representatives from communities around the Rattanakosin Island old town in their demonstration at Democracy Monument yesterday against a plan to turn the area into a racecourse for Formula One event in 2015.

BANGKOK: -- Community groups rally at Democracy Monument, say it's poor choice for FI race

With many Bangkok residents opposing a plan set up a Formula One racecourse in the Rattanakosin area, businessmen in the Northeast are eager to host the event in the region as a possible boost to tourism.

About 80 representatives from 20 communities in Rattanakosin Island gathered at the Democracy Monument yesterday to object to the old city area being used as a racing track for the planned 2015 F1 Bangkok Tournament.

Residents of Bang Lamphu and nearby communities got together at the monument about 4pm yesterday to object the plan to hold an F1 race in the historically significant area. They stated they were not opposing organisation of the tournament.

"We are not here to oppose the organisation of the race here in Bangkok," Orasri Silpi, president of Bang Lamphu Residential Community, said. "However, we are here to protest the plan to use Rattanakosin Island as the race track."

Praserd Rithtisomrerng, a member of the Conservation of Art and Culture Board, said organisers had picked an inappropriate site.

"It is the matter of how appropriate it is to use this place," Praserd said. "It is rather inappropriate to host the event on this holy and historically significant place in Bangkok. Just imagine the damage that would happen if the worst [accident] should occur.

"If you want to race in Bangkok, that's fine. [but ] you just have to find another place for it."

Sittichai Pholhittanont, who joined the rally, said the demonstrators were also concerned about the cost, as the government would be footing the bill.

"The budget that is used to host this tournament should come from the private sector, or Formula One itself, not from the Government of Thailand," Sittichai said. "It is such a waste of money, which would come from the people's taxes."

People at the rally said they would announce their next move after they learnt the government's reaction to their stance. Kasidis Kruthangka, an undergraduate at Thammasat University, who was at the rally, said they would appeal to other related organisations if there was no response from the government.

Meanwhile, secretary general of the Northeast Chamber of Commerce Thawisan Lonanurak voiced his support yesterday for Nakhon Ratchasima hosting the 2015 F1 event. He said bringing the race to the northeastern province would boost local tourism and help the region's economy.

Chakkrit Siripanit, head of the Khon Kaen Tourism Association, also said holding the event in the Northeast would bring tourists with high purchasing power to the region.

-- The Nation 2013-06-09

[dahinni]

and what is the cost to prepare for event.

who is paying this?

GOV. , have already problems to explain rice scheme

[chooka]

oh stop it, you're killing me. F1 in Isaan? It will never happen.

[nottocus]

I have images of an old farmer letting his buffalo on to the track to take a dump at the first hairpin. Also, an old lady pushing her somtam/gai yang cart across the back straight.

[ChrisY1]

Making F1 Track Marshals out of rice farmers...... ........would be interesting for Alonso and mates.

[soihok]

Years ago I had some ideas of making a stock car racing track and speedway (bikes not cars) in Korat, but in reality lets face it. Ain't going to happen is it.

[A Member]

There was an article about this on the Yahoo News website a couple of days ago and it said the race was very much in doubt as F1 were dead set on it being held in Bangkok and not at all keen on any alternatives. In essence the final decision is now down to F1's " Poison Dwarf " Bernie Ecclestone who has the final word on everything.

I live in Issan and am struggling to see how Nakhon Ratchasima or Khon Kaen could take this on at all let alone for 2015 but as usual officials in Thailand just have to say something no matter how ludicrous.

[cardholder]

I doubt that Korat could organise a p!ss up in a brewery. It might be useful if the second city actually had a functioning airport - at least Khon Kaen has that.

People seem to forget that Newin Chidchob and Hermann Tilke announced plans to build an international circuit in Buriram. That does sort of have a an airport and that guy Newin gets things done.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sports/Newin-and-Tilke-to-build-racing-circuit-in-Buri-Ra-30201112.html

Can't see the international community flocking to Isaan to see F1. Malaysia has it a bout right - stick the circuit between your capital city and the international airport.

[assayer]

• I have images of an old farmer letting his buffalo on to the track to take a dump at the first hairpin. Also, an old lady pushing her somtam/gai yang cart across the back straight.

  But Chalerm will take care of the security of the race course

[Payboy]

Isaan happy to host Formula One event

I heard several ladies have already qualified for pole position.

[Thai at Heart]

Hardly Monaco is it?

[soihok]

Hardly Monaco is it?

Thank god

[Thai at Heart]

Hardly Monaco is it?

Thank god

That said, how many 5 star hotel rooms would any city have to provide? Forget putting it in isaan. Dumb idea.

[kartman]

Last weekend Moto GP at Mugello Italy a fantastic circuit would be brilliant for F1 but in the middle of nowhere without infrastructure, adequate hotels etc so no chance of F1.......... Isaan

[soihok]

What I mean is that it could never be as boring as the Monaco F1

As for 5 star hotels, could go for home stays instead.

Can just see Alonso stay on the floor in aunties house in the village.

[cardholder]

What I mean is that it could never be as boring as the Monaco F1

As for 5 star hotels, could go for home stays instead.

Can just see Alonso stay on the floor in aunties house in the village.

Plenty of short time rooms available!

Actually, you can knock up 4/5 star hotels in a few months - Newin is doing that now, adjacent to his football stadium.

[bigbamboo]

A quick reality check!

Remember this is a country that couldn't even get an indoor futsal arena built on time so what chance do they have of building a world class motor racing facility?

But that isn't even half the problem. Formula One is all about glitz, glamour and high living. Isaan isn't.

[Thai at Heart]

The other paper reports that rattanakosin is banned from hosting the f1 race.

So get the drawing boards back out.

[OzMick]

They could hold it in mid-April, and the spectators could throw water at the passing cars.

[DocN]

The one thing that would slightly make sense about that plan, would be getting more attention (= money) to Isaan and put some development (jobs, infrastructure etc. ) to that place, that is badly neglected by the rest of Thailand.

...in that perspective, it might be a good thing...but we all know, it will never happen!

[huahinjoe]

Why they not doing it in Phuket? Have international airport, many hotels, could be the Monaco of Asia

[OzMick]

Why they not doing it in Phuket? Have international airport, many hotels, could be the Monaco of Asia

Which of the 2 places have you never visited?

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Why they not doing it in Phuket? Have international airport, many hotels, could be the Monaco of Asia

The Local Tuk-Tuk mafia will not let it happen, they think they own all the roads on the island.

[arthurwait]

The tall tales and delusion just gets bigger and bigger.

[jackr]

"It is the matter of how appropriate it is to use this place," Praserd said. "It is rather inappropriate to host the event on this holy and historically significant place in Bangkok. Just imagine the damage that would happen if the worst [accident] should occur.

"If you want to race in Bangkok, that's fine. [but ] you just have to find another place for it."

Well it would hardly be on the palace grounds, you silly boy, and barring Vimanmek Palace, hich it'd be nowhere near, virtually any building could be fixed with a ton of render and bling, just the way they were built. Alternatively, you could bung it out of town in some field, but could do that anywhere (Isaan indeed), so it would need to be in old Bangkok for the appeal, while Sikandvomit Road and Silom would just cause traffic chaos.

I know what they're saying, but the reality is, Bangkok, or anywhere in Thailand, is just not up to this standard right.

Anyway, two reasons Bernie wants it in Bangkok; one is money (as always), but that ain't the main one.

[mrtoad]

Years ago I had some ideas of making a stock car racing track and speedway (bikes not cars) in Korat, but in reality lets face it. Ain't going to happen is it.

No need for a stock car track, look at the way the idiots drive on the road, enough action on that.

As for Isaan F1, I had to check the date, and then I realized that everyday, is Fools day when it comes to this Government.

Edited June 9, 2013 by mrtoad

[Neilly]

Just imagine the damage that would happen if the worst [accident] should occur.

Has obviously watched many F1 races and seen the damage done to the likes of Monaco/Singapore

[Sunderland]

Why don't they just close and use one of the expressways for the day? Up one side, a couple of corners around Din Daeng, and then back up the other side. Wouldn't disturb anyone, would be less carnage than usual on those roads, and people in towers can rent out their rooms to spectators for the weekend. Problem solved.

[mrtoad]

Why they not doing it in Phuket? Have international airport, many hotels, could be the Monaco of Asia

The taxi mafia would probably blockade it

[Sunderland]

Just imagine the damage that would happen if the worst [accident] should occur.

Has obviously watched many F1 races and seen the damage done to the likes of Monaco/Singapore

Yes, absolute carnage. Looked like a war zone. Bring and buy sales and other charitable fundraising activities were organized in the U.K. to help rebuild the battered cities and rehouse the homeless.