Thailand is considering a bid to host a round of the Formula 1 World Championship, according to Akapol Sorasuchart, president of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
Businesses are putting pressure on their local governments to increase the number of major events the country holds to improve the country’s image on an international scale.
Sorasuchart believes an F1 race would be the ideal event after looking at the success of Singapore and its race which, in its current state, debuted just three years ago and attracts 120,000 fans as well as over a million foreign visitors immediately before, during and after the race, resulting in fully-booked hotels at premium prices.
The TCEB president is keen to get a bid together for a street race due to the cost savings and believes an ideal location would be the capital, Bangkok.
“Building an F1 circuit is very costly but it would be useful after the races end,” he told the Bangkok Post.
“I think that street racing is interesting for Thailand because it involves lower investment. A good location would be Ratchadamnoen Avenue because it has a good atmosphere.”
Red Bull recently ran a demo in the city which attracted upwards of 125,000 spectators (pictured above).