Formula 1 Rumors

Formula 1 News: Thailand’s F1 hopes hit by political turmoil (5th Update)

Andrew Maitland

(GMM) Hopes that Thailand could be Formula 1’s next exotic new grand prix destination appear to have taken a hit.

In April, amid rumors of a potential street race in Bangkok, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali travelled to the Southeast Asian country to meet with prime minister Srettha Thavisin.

Thavisin was then at Imola for more talks with Formula 1 officials, where he said it is his “policy to place Thailand on the global radar for international events and activities”.

The PM’s visit made Italian automobile chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani, representing both Imola and Monza, very nervous.

“We are in a context where everything is changing rapidly,” he said, wary that one of Italy’s two races could be the victim of a deal for Thailand. “The prime minister of an Asian country that wants F1 was present in Imola.”

However, the situation has now changed. Just days ago, Thavisin was forced by Thailand’s constitutional court to step down because he had appointed a minister convicted of bribery.

According to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, the potential collapse of Thailand’s F1 bid is not a disaster because he thinks another global region deserves a grand prix more.

“F1 is global, more than it has ever been, and Africa is a continent that’s missing,” he told Prime Casino. “So it seems logical that there should be a push to go to Africa.

“Honestly, it’s also very political, where (F1) goes.”

August 17, 2024 

Thailand’s ambitions to host Formula 1 and Formula E races have hit a significant snag following the recent political upheaval in the country.

The Constitutional Court’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has raised doubts about Thailand’s future as a venue for these prestigious motorsport events.

Thavisin was actively pursuing plans to bring Formula 1 to Thailand, including discussions with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali about a potential Grand Prix on a street circuit in Bangkok.

However, his administration faced scrutiny after he appointed a former lawyer with a criminal record to his cabinet, leading to his removal.

The former Prime Minister’s vision was to position Thailand alongside other Asian countries that successfully host F1 events, such as Japan and Singapore.

His discussions with Domenicali during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May indicated a strong commitment to making Thailand a key player in the global racing scene.

Here’s what Thavisin had to say in a statement on social media, in May:

The discussions continued to progress even more when Domenicali visited Thailand following the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. During this visit, it emerged that Thailand was being considered as a potential host for its inaugural Grand Prix, with the event possibly scheduled for 2027 or 2028, as reported by Motorsportweek.com.

While the political situation has not completely derailed plans for a Thai Grand Prix, it has introduced uncertainty.

May 20, 2024 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was present at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for discussions with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

Thavisin is targeting a deal to put on a street race in Bangkok, with hopes that it could be on the calendar in 2027 or 2028.

Thavisin met Formula One organizers in Italy and said he hoped the construction of an Formula One racing circuit would start near U-Tapao airport in Rayong province in three or four years.

“In line with the Thai Government’s intention to bring F1 racing to Thailand in the near future, I visited the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and had a discussion with executives of the Formula One Group.

“This resonates with our policy to place Thailand on the global radar for international events and activities.”

April 22, 2024 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and key government officials met with Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of the Formula One Group, at Government House on Monday to discuss the possibility of hosting F1 racing in the Thai capital.

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and key government officials met with Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of the Formula One Group, at Government House on Monday to discuss the possibility of hosting F1 racing in the Thai capital.

Srettha, whose administration has focused on entertainment and sports events to draw high-spending tourists, met F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali on Monday and said the country has all it takes to hold the competition.

F1 executives were in Bangkok to survey and study the routes for the race at the invitation of the Thai government, Srettha said in a post on X.

The visit followed the leader’s meeting with Domenicali in Paris last month when the two discussed the possibility of Thailand hosting a street race, Rudklao Suwankiri, a deputy spokeswoman for the Thai government, said in a statement after Monday’s visit.

In Southeast Asia, Singapore hosts the F1 race on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, located on the city’s waterfront.

Srettha has vowed to elevate Thailand’s status as a tourism hotspot into an aviation and logistics hub as his administration taps the so-called quick wins to stimulate the nation’s economy. He has pushed promotional campaigns to extend holidaymakers’ stay and year-round festivals to boost the number of foreign tourists, and worked to get Thailand to host Formula E competition and MotoGP races.

If Thailand lands the rights to host an F1 race in 2027, it could generate about 4 billion baht (US$108 million) in economic value and generate more than 1,000 jobs, Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, a deputy secretary general to the premier, said on X.

Tourism is one of Thailand’s key industries accounting for about 20 percent of total jobs and making up about 12 percent of the nation’s US$500 billion economy.

Srettha’s administration has set a goal of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027 and to achieve that, it has signed a reciprocal visa waiver deal with China – Thailand’s largest market for tourists – and offered temporary visa waivers for travelers from India, Taiwan and Kazakhstan.

April 22, 2024 

Formula 1 continues to grow, and several countries are keen to organize races. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali will visit Thailand and South Korea this week to discuss the possibilities.

We have been following this rumor since 2012 and of course the Red Bull Energy drink originated in Thailand. Chaleo Yoovidhya invented the drink and the late Dietrich Mateschitz (Austrians) did the marketing in a deal they signed in 1987. Yoovidhya’s son Chalerm owns 51% of the shares of the company and is aligned with Christian Horner. The Yoovidhya family would like to see a F1 race in Thailand.

Thailand’s government spokesperson said, “Basically, if F1 is going to be held in Thailand, we want it to be held on the roads – if possible, on Ratchadamnoen around Rattanakosin Island”

 
Ratchadamnoen around Rattanakosin Island
April 22, 2024 

Sports Authority of Thailand Gov. Kanokphand Chulakasem today said that the country “would definitely get the green light” to stage an F1 race in November ’14. The event, to be titled the “Formula One Grand Prix Thailand,” is “likely to be a night race.” Details, including the fee and venue, are “still to be finalized.” Kanokphand said, “A contract is likely to be signed later this year. It is likely to be a one-year deal with an option to extend.” BANGKOKPOST.com

September 27, 2012 

Thailand could be ready to host a Grand Prix as early as 2014, according to the governor of the country’s Sports Authority.

The Bangkok Post reports that Kanokphand Chulakasem, who met with Bernie Ecclestone in Singapore, says that a deal was agreed in principle.

“It will be a city race like that in Singapore and Monaco,” he said. “It will be a night race like the Singapore Grand Prix.”

However he also conceded that details such as the fee have yet to be determined, which suggests that any announcement is somewhat premature.

Two years ago Mark Webber did a street demonstration on a course laid out on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, in the vicinity of the proposed track.

Thailand has a population of around 65m – which would make it the seventh largest current F1 host after China, India, USA, Brazil, Japan and Germany – and would be an interesting market for sponsors.

Inevitably much of the impetus for the event comes from Thai-owned Red Bull and its associated beer brand, Singha. Interest in the country has been increasing, and prospects for a race have been discussed for some time.

With the support of the aforementioned companies the country is already hosting this year’s Race of Champions event in December, with the likes of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel in attendance.

Thailand’s major claim to racing fame is of course Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh of Siam, better known as B Bira. He competed in Europe with considerable success with ERAs before WW2, and later started 19 World Championship races between 1950 and 1954 in Maserati, Connaught and Gordini chassis. Adam Cooper F1

September 27, 2012 

(GMM) If Thailand joins the F1 calendar in 2014, the southeast Asian country’s grand prix could be staged under lights, it has emerged.

Thailand made its intentions clear recently by successfully bidding to host this December’s end-of-season Race of Champions, and talks have also taken place about bringing formula one to the country.

“Our discussions with Bernie Ecclestone have gone smoothly. We expect to get rights to host a grand prix from 2014 onwards,” Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said recently.

Asiancorrespondent.com now quotes Chulaksem as also saying: “The race might be held at night to accommodate viewers in Europe and help earn more in sponsorship.”

F1’s only artificially-lit races are in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

There is speculation Thailand’s grand prix could be held on the streets of the capital Bangkok, on an upgraded Bira circuit 165km from Bangkok, or at a new purpose-built F1 facility.

June 15, 2012 

(GMM) Thailand is on track to secure a round of the 2014 world championship.

The southeast Asian country made its intentions clear recently by successfully bidding to host this year’s end-of-season Race of Champions in December, which will be attended by reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Talks have also been taking place about bringing formula one to Thailand.

“Our discussions with Bernie Ecclestone have gone smoothly. We expect to get rights to host a grand prix from 2014 onwards,” Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, is quoted by the Phuket News.

The Thai daily The Nation said 51 per cent Red Bull energy drink owner and co-founder Chalerm Yoovidhya is playing a role in the logistics of the Thai grand prix.

March 27, 2012 

Thailand could host a F1 grand prix in two to three years after reportedly receiving tentative backing from Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz.

“We are in talks,” Mateschitz told the Bangkok Post. “Thailand could host a Formula One race in the next two to three years.”

The co-founder of Red Bull, a Thai-Austrian joint venture, said Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone also supported the idea.

“Ecclestone agrees with the idea,” Mateschitz was quoted as saying. “We may sign an agreement soon.”

Mateschitz was in Bangkok last weekend to attend the funeral of Chaleo Yoovidhya, the Thai entrepreneur who launched the Red Bull energy drink in Thailand and went on to set up a joint venture with Mateschitz in 1987 to make the product in Austria for the European market.