The Thai kingdom’s History With motorsport
When we first think of Thailand, what usually comes to mind are the turquoise waters of Phi Phi Islands or the iconic tuk-tuks weaving through Bangkok’s streets. But beyond tourism, Thailand has long been quietly building its place in global sport, and motorsport is no stranger to that plan.
Thailand’s history in motorsport can be traced back to Prince Bira, who competed in Formula One from 1950-55, scoring 8 career points driving for teams with a rich legacy like Scuderia Ferrari. In his honour, Thailand established its first FIA-grade circuit near Pattaya in 1986 - setting the stage for the country’s motorsport journey.
Through the 1990s, Thailand’s affiliation with motorsport grew with their entry into the Asia-Pacific Rallying Championship in 1992 and the establishment of governing bodies to oversee different automotive and motorsport activities. The construction of Chang International Circuit, its first FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A circuit, further cemented Thailand’s ambitions, as they went on to host notable motorsport series in endurance, two-wheeler racing, and feeder series such as the Asian Le Mans Series and the F4 South East Asian Championship. In recent years, it has been a consistent season opener for MotoGP after hosting its first MotoGP race in 2018, reflecting positive logistical capabilities in hosting large-scale racing events.
Modern day Political Support
In 2024, then–Prime Minister Shretta Thavisin announced his intent to host a Formula 1 and Formula E race in Bangkok to elevate Thailand’s status as a top tourist destination in the APAC region through the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s “Ignite Thailand” vision. The plan projected over $108 million in potential revenue and coincided with relaxed visa rules for tourists from China, India, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan.
Thavisin also invited Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicalli to accelerate talks with Liberty Media. The association was sweetened by the country’s pre-existing ties with motorsports through Red Bull, whose roots are in Thailand.
Even though Thavisin was ousted from his leadership due to constitutional violations and eventually succeeded by Paetongtran Shinwatra, hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix remained a common objective within the Pheu Thai Party.
Momentum built earlier this year when Domenicali visited Thailand, followed by the government officially hosting Formula One’s only Thai driver, Alex Albon. Soon after, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a $1.2 billion bid to host a Formula One street race in Bangkok by 2028.
Shifting Tides
While the Pheu Thai Party’s continuity provided logical momentum to further escalate talks, Shinwatra’s leaked calls with Cambodia’s leader amidst border disputes created a political opening for the opposition Bhumjaithai Party to oust the Prime Minister on the grounds of ethical breaches. They capitalised on the already vulnerable position of Pheu Thai’s leadership as they failed to provide two strong leaders in a span of three years.
The Political Power Play and Economic Gaps
While the proposed Grand Prix plan was promising, it increasingly appeared to be a political tool - an effort by the Pheu Thai Party to bolster public approval and distract from internal scandals. Albon’s high-profile visit, backed by Williams’ sponsor Komatsu, added patriotic sheen. But underneath the gloss lie financial inconsistencies.
It is worth examining this situation in comparison to Singapore. Since 2008, the Lion City has been F1’s Asian stronghold alongside Japan. The “Home of the Night Race” is currently running its 17th year of racing and holds strong significance on the calendar.
One of the reasons for its continued success can be attributed to the steady public-private partnership between the government (60%) and private players - corporations, sponsors, private equity, etc. (40%). The Singapore GP contracts have been regularly extended since 2008 owing to bipartisan support, as it is strongly viewed as a “halo event” encouraging tourism. Operations in Singapore have recently been under fire by the Corruption Practices Bureau, which launched an independent investigation on Transport Minister S. Iswaran for accepting a “gift” of $403,000 that included “F1 perks.” The Grand Prix’s future remains unsure with the venue’s contract ending in 2028, as it was an event heavily spearheaded by Iswaran, even if its operations have been cleared by the Bureau as of October 2025.
The political logistics of the Singapore Grand Prix offer a crystal-clear example of cooperation between a public and private entity. While the large energy drink Red Bull has strong Thai origins, their support of the Thai Grand Prix is only in good spirit as opposed to the financial support required to host the Grand Prix.
A gap in private funding for the Thai Grand Prix exposes the event to be a spectacle that feels like indulgence in a country suffering from natural calamities. The $1.2 billion allocated by the Cabinet could easily be perceived as frivolous spending at a time when the country needs stronger infrastructure, healthcare, and disaster management systems.
Current status of the Thailand Grand Prix
The talks between F1 and the Thai Government have subsequently cooled down since the change in leadership. There are rumors of a possible draft of the track layout in Chatuchak’s streets being ready but not public.
In the meanwhile, Thailand’s new Tourism Minister, Atthakorn Sirilatthayakor, has redirected the focus to another major sporting event - the Southeast Asian Games - packaging it as a test ground to assess Thailand’s capabilities in hosting a large-scale sporting event.
Despite the plans of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix coming to a halt, Formula 1 driver Alex Albon and former Thai rally driver Manusart Sripana remain optimistic about a possible Thai Grand Prix and its future in motorsport.
Thailand’s use of Formula 1 as a political tool - Final thoughts
Thailand’s aggressive pursuit of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix serves as a notable case study on how governments use global sports to shape perception and consolidate influence. The Pheu Thai Party’s F1 dreams were as much a nation-building exercise as they were a façade. An originally sporting nation with a strong connection to Formula 1, on paper, it makes utmost sense. But without bipartisan support, an ambitious project like this can collapse under its own political weight.
Formula 1 may yet return to Bangkok. It is a sport that has previously created a successful halo effect by boosting the local economy and creating multiple jobs. This could also be the beginning of a new wave of Thai drivers coming up through the ranks.
