Buri Ram set for MotoGP bonanza

[rooster59]

Buri Ram set for MotoGP bonanza

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

A GOVERNMENT plan for Buri Ram to host MotoGP international motorcycle road racing has been eagerly welcomed by local residents and businesses alike – with almost Bt2 billion in revenue expected to be earned and some Bt500 million going to the northeastern province.

 

In financial terms, the big-bike event is expected to benefit not only Buri Ram but also neighbouring provinces such as Surin, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said. 

 

“We want to promote tourism in the Northeast, where there are fewer tourists than other regions. The Tourism Authority of Thailand sees that sport can be the answer in helping bring in tourism revenue,” she said.

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry estimated that the MotoGP event would attract around 110,000 spectators and bring in revenue of Bt1.89 billion, the minister said. The event would be broadcast to around 500 million viewers worldwide, more than any other racing sport event, she added.

 

Kobkarn said she expected the event to also benefit related businesses in Thailand, such as parts manufacturing and assembling of big bikes.

 

Hotelier Wasan Thepnakorn, who is an adviser to the Association of Hotel Businesses in Buri Ram, said at least 100,000 motorsport fans from all over the world would flock to the province to watch the MotoGP competition.

 

“I believe at least Bt400 million to Bt500 million will change hands during the racing period, with the money going to hotels, food shops and tourist destinations,” he said. “We thank the government and all the relevant sectors to make it possible for this world-class competition to be held in Thailand.”

 

He added that the event was expected to help boost the local economy, particularly the tourism sector. The Cabinet last Tuesday approved a Bt300-million budget to cover licence fees for Thailand to host the MotoGP championship annually from 2018 to 2020.

 

The government will pay Bt100 million a year in licence fees to the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the ruling body of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. Regarding organisation costs, the government is seeking support from the private sector, according to Kobkarn. 

 

The Buriram United Interna-tional Circuit will be the venue for the first MotoGP in Thailand.

 

A source in the motorsport circles said that MotoGP was the most popular motorcycle-racing event, with a strong following worldwide.

 

While the Thai private sector is capable of affording the MotoGP licence fees, a government role would help boost the event’s image, the source said. “With only a company playing host, the event would not be grand enough,” the source said.

 

At present, there are 18 MotoGP venues around the world, with four of them in Asia and Oceania – Qatar, Japan, Malaysia and Australia. There is a plan by Dorna Sports, the MotoGP commercial rights-holder, to increase the venues to 20 by adding Finland and Thailand.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310294

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-26

[khwaibah]

Have to keep the political powers of the area happy.

[mercman24]

NO health care for the poor, but we got a moto gp, says it all really. yes i am a biker.

[Ace of Pop]

Look who owns the Circuit..[emoji84]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[NoBrainer]

You can really see that math is not one of the strong subjects of the author of this story.

 

It states that   "said at least 100,000 motorsport fans from all over the world"   and that    "at least Bt400 million to Bt500 million will change hands"

 

Well first of all, where would they expect to house 100,000 additional tourists in Buri Ram?

 

And if you do the math, that has each person spending 400 Baht - 500 Baht. I would like to go to the Moto GP, Eat, Sleep & see the race for 500 Baht, so count me in.

 

555

 

[Briggsy]

2 minutes ago, NoBrainer said:

You can really see that math is not one of the strong subjects of the author of this story.

 

It states that   "said at least 100,000 motorsport fans from all over the world"   and that    "at least Bt400 million to Bt500 million will change hands"

 

Well first of all, where would they expect to house 100,000 additional tourists in Buri Ram?

 

And if you do the math, that has each person spending 400 Baht - 500 Baht. I would like to go to the Moto GP, Eat, Sleep & see the race for 500 Baht, so count me in.

 

555

 

Perhaps you may wish to revisit your calculation. Perhaps maths is not one of your strong subjects.

[alant]

NoBrainer has a point, the Buriram circuit is a good venue but where oh where will the accommodation come from?

[steven100]

OT;   Vettel wins Australia F1 ...

 

Ricardio -  local boy -  warm up lap ,  car stuck in 6 gear ,   then did 2 laps and failed again due to fuel pressure ...

 

Socceroos -  1 - 1  Saudi  ....    F1 .. no start .....

[TEFLKrabi]

6 hours ago, alant said:

NoBrainer has a point, the Buriram circuit is a good venue but where oh where will the accommodation come from?

Accommodation will be a struggle but remember that she you go to the British Garnd Prix, for example,  or everyone stays with 25kms. The surrounding provinces are also going to be huge gainers from this. I'd be more concerned about the local roads with this many visitors. Maybe time to open a bar at the airport. 

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

Will the entrance fee be ten fold the price for foreigners?

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

Also, will the teams have to pay import tax on the bikes?

(I understand that was what stopped F1 coming here some years back)

 

[MichaelSong]

Interesting to see how the Chang - Singha combination will work ...

And the 304 will be 4 lane by then  I hope.

[MichaelSong]

And re-open Surin airport instead of BFV in the middle of nowhere