On June 18, 2025, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a multi-year proposal to host Formula One races in Bangkok, marking the country’s most ambitious bid yet to join the global motorsport calendar. The event, projected to run from 2028 to 2032, will take place on a proposed 5.7-kilometer street circuit in the capital’s Chatuchak district.
The plan, with an estimated cost of USD1.23 billion (approximately THB 45 billion), includes staging a three-day event each year, comprising practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the main race day. The initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in collaboration with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the Formula One event is expected to bring wide-ranging benefits to the country, including boosting international tourism, stimulating job creation, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing Thailand’s reputation as a global sporting destination. He emphasized that sustainability is a key focus of the plan, with commitments to reduce environmental impact and promote green technologies in line with global sustainability goals.
According to government projections, the event could generate annual returns of around USD570 million through tourism, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and ancillary spending, with the potential to break even within the first year. Minister Sorawong added that Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has shown support for Thailand’s inclusion in the official racing schedule, signaling a positive outlook for the proposal’s integration into the F1 calendar.
If successful, Bangkok would join the ranks of major global cities that host street-circuit Formula One races, such as Singapore and Monaco, further positioning Thailand as a regional hub for international motorsport.
