F1: Thailand In Discussion to Host Bangkok Street GP

While it is often touted as the definitive global motorsport event, Formula One (F1) appears to be shying away from the Southeast Asian region, with the sole ASEAN-based grand prix currently on its calendar being the Singaporean Grand Prix.

Thai PM Sretta Thavisin (left) held a special discussion with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali (right) earlier this week about the Thai F1 Grand Prix.

Fortunately, things are about to change, as Thailand is currently planning to host an F1 race in the coming years. This was revealed by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a recent meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. This pitch is part of Srettha’s cabinet move to further elevate the nation’s profile while bringing in more tourism opportunities.

Chang International Circuit in Buriram has always been the hot spot for international motorsport events in Thailand, including MotoGP.

Interestingly, the Thai government is pitching F1 to host the nation’s GP in the bustling streets of Bangkok instead of the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand’s only FIA Grade 1 level circuit. While it has yet to host any official F1 races, the Buriram race track has been a constant presence in the MotoGP calendar, with said track hosting the premier motorcycle racing event for years.

As of now, no timeframe or detailed plans have been announced for the future Thai Grand Prix, with the government insisting on a street race in its capital. The decision to snub Buriram is also partly due to F1’s strategy of late, with more and more street grand prix being introduced in recent years, with the latest one being the controversial Las Vegas Grand Prix.

“Thailand has the capacity to host Formula One in Bangkok,” Srettha said via his official X/Twitter account. “If successful, I’m confident that our country will bring impressive memories to others because we have the right potential, capacity, and Thai people’s hospitality.”

Ever since the cancellation of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit back in 2017, the Singapore GP has stood as the sole F1 race to take place in the ASEAN region. Before this Thai GP development, Vietnam was also poised to host an F1 race, but the grand prix eventually got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.