Thailand wants to host F1 street race at Bangkok in 2028

Thailand has outlined its bid to be the next Southeast Asian country to host a Formula One Grand Prix after Singapore.

The Thailand government has approved a USD 1.2 billion budget aimed to secure a spot in the Formula One calendar for 2028. The country wants the Grand Prix to happen in its capital city, Bangkok, where a street circuit will be made around the Chatuchak Park area.

Based on reports, the proposal is for Thailand to secure a five-year contract with F1 which will run from 2028 to 2032. This will be part of the Thai government’s plan to position F1 as a part of its economic and tourism development.

An F1 demonstration run in Bangkok back in 2011

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has held multiple meetings with F1 chief Stefano Domenicali in recent months to push the project forward. Likewise, Domenicali has visited Bangkok to discuss the potential race as well.

The current F1 calendar already features 24 races. But with European races transitioning to a rotational basis for the incoming seasons, there might be a spot for a Thailand Grand Prix going forward. It also helps that Thailand has high profile support within F1 with Thai-British driver Alex Albon monitoring the project’s progress.

Currently, only Singapore is the Southeast Asian country in the F1 calendar, as the Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi did not materialize due to the pandemic in 2020.