Thailand is pursuing a spot on the Formula One calendar as it seeks to boost events-based tourism.
Confirmed:
- Prime minister Srettha Thavisin has pitched a street race to Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali
- Series executives have already been to Bangkok to survey and study potential routes
Context:
If Thailand lands the rights to host a Formula One race in 2027, it could generate about four billion baht (US$108 million) and more than 1,000 jobs, according to the country’s deputy secretary general to the premier Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham.
Thailand already hosts a MotoGP race at the Buriram International Circuit, while the country has also stated its intention to host a Formula E race as early as next season. This all forms part of a wider strategy to elevate the country as a tourism hotspot through events.
In addition, it would provide current Williams driver Alex Albon with a home race on the calendar. Formula One will be hoping for a similar swell of partisan support which saw Chinese fans sell out last weekend’s race at the Shanghai International Circuit in record time to see Zhou Guanyu become the first Chinese driver to finish a home race.
Comment:
ไทยมีศักยภาพพร้อมเป็นเจ้าภาพจัด Formula One ที่ กรุงเทพฯ หากสำเร็จผมมั่นใจว่าบ้านเราจะเป็นหนึ่งในเจ้าภาพจัดการแข่งขัน ที่สร้างความประทับใจได้มากที่สุด ด้วยศักยภาพ สิ่งอำนวยความสะดวก และมิตรไมตรีของคนไทยครับ
— Srettha Thavisin (@Thavisin) April 22, 2024
วันนี้ผมได้หารือร่วม นาย Stefano Domenicali ประธานกรรมการบริหาร บริษัท… pic.twitter.com/jpv2gWnntz
Coming next:
Outside of the Middle East, Formula One only has three races in Asia: Japan, China and Singapore. With two of those races already completed, the series’ final visit to the region comes at the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore from 20th to 22nd September.
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