Thailand invests 1.2 billion to host Grand Prix
The Thai government has just agreed to organize a Grand Prix in the country. It could take place as early as the 2028 season.
A new Grand Prix in Asia? While the start of the season has already been marked by the Grand Prix of China and Japan, and with the Singapore Grand Prix approaching, a new race could soon take place on the Asian continent, this time in Thailand. On Tuesday, a government meeting was held after which Thai authorities gave their green light to host a championship round in Bangkok, the country’s capital.
The plan already seems well defined: the goal is to organize a Grand Prix by 2028, with an initial five-year contract. To support this project, the country has allocated substantial resources. 1.2 billion dollars have been allocated by the government, a sum that includes the development of the circuit, whose layout has not yet been finalized. Sorawong Thienthong, the Minister of Tourism, has indicated that it could be located near the Chatuchak market, a highly popular area among foreign tourists.
Significant investments to bring F1 to Thailand
The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Sorawong Thienthong. It marks a significant step forward in the country’s desire to join Formula 1. A few weeks earlier, the president of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, traveled to Thailand to meet with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Following this, Alexander Albon, the only Thai driver currently in F1, also met with the head of the government. The Williams driver is optimistic about the idea of racing at home one day.
The things are progressing. Nothing is finalized yet, but it’s really encouraging to see Thailand’s commitment. They are taking this very seriously. And I think they have a solid project. When you look at the plans… when you see how involved they are… I got an overall glimpse of what they are considering, and yes, it seems promising. I can’t say much more, so I prefer to remain discreet. But I’m following this very closely, explained the Thai to Autosport.
Thailand arrives, other circuits on the way out?
According to certain sources, a memorandum of understanding has already been signed with F1. A clear intention, motivated by the significant economic benefits such an event could generate for the country. Now remains the question of how to integrate this Grand Prix into an already packed F1 calendar: the current season consists of 24 events, a number Domenicali does not wish to exceed, although the Concorde Agreements allow for the addition of an extra race.
However, by 2028, several Grand Prix contracts could expire, which would open the door for Thailand’s entry into the calendar. Such an addition would strengthen F1’s presence in Southeast Asia, a region that hasn’t hosted two races in the same season since 2017, when it consecutively held the Singapore and Malaysia races.
