Thailand has unveiled a draft plan for a proposed Formula One street circuit in Bangkok, marking a major step in the country’s bid to host the F1 Thailand Grand Prix from 2028 to 2032.
According to the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the preliminary design features a 5.732-kilometer, 18-corner street circuit running clockwise through the Chatuchak–Krung Thep Aphiwat area.
The route would pass eight major landmarks, including Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station), Chatuchak Weekend Market, Queen Sirikit Park, Chatuchak Park, Wachirabenchathat Park (State Railway Park), the Bangkok Bus Terminal, PTT headquarters, and a State Railway of Thailand residential area.
The proposed circuit is expected to accommodate more than 100,000 spectators and would rank among the longer street circuits on the current Formula One calendar.
SAT officials have stated that hosting a Formula One race is central to Thailand’s ambition to become a “world-class event hub,” aimed at boosting tourism revenue, generating economic activity, and raising the country’s international profile. A public survey has been launched to gather feedback on potential impacts, which will inform a full feasibility study.
Origins of the F1 proposal in Bangkok
Thailand’s push to join the Formula One calendar began under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who discussed the proposal with Stefano Domenicali, Chief Executive Officer of Formula One, during his visit to Bangkok in April 2024. The initiative continued under former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
In June 2025, the Cabinet approved Thailand’s formal bid under an existing memorandum of understanding committing the country to host the event for five years, from 2028 to 2032. The proposed budget totals approximately THB40 billion (US$1.27 billion), with funding to be allocated annually and submitted for Cabinet approval each year.
Each race weekend is planned to run from Friday to Sunday, with potential dates in either March or September.
Expected urban impact of F1 street circuit
SAT officials have acknowledged that hosting a street race in a dense urban area would bring significant disruption. Construction of the circuit is expected to take 1–2 years, carried out in phases. Partial road closures are anticipated along Kamphaeng Phet Roads 2–6, Phahonyothin Road, and Thoet Damri Road during construction and event preparation periods.
Sections of Queen Sirikit Park, Chatuchak Park, and Wachirabenchathat Park would be temporarily inaccessible during construction and race preparation. Bus stops and public transport routes in the area may be relocated or adjusted, while vendors at Chatuchak Weekend Market could experience disruptions ahead of race weekends. Officials have said the market would remain open during race days.
Formula One within Thailand’s economic strategy
The government and SAT expect the Formula One Grand Prix to generate economic benefits through increased tourism, hospitality spending, and international exposure. Support from British-Thai racer Alex Albon has also helped raise the profile of the bid.
Thailand’s Formula One proposal comes as the country has increasingly hosted large-scale international events positioned to serve regional audiences. Major global festivals and sporting events have expanded into Thailand in recent years. Officials have cited this broader context as part of the rationale for pursuing an event of Formula One’s scale.
In live entertainment, Thailand has increasingly been selected as the first or primary Asian base for major global events. Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) chose Thailand for its first-ever edition in Southeast Asia, staging one last year (other festivals like Rolling Loud did the same a few years back). More recently, Tomorrowland officially announced its Thailand edition scheduled for December, marking the festival’s first expansion into Asia. These decisions reflected confidence in Thailand’s infrastructure, aviation connectivity, hospitality capacity, and ability to draw international audiences across Asia and Australasia.
Beyond nightlife and festivals, similar logic has shaped Thailand’s role in other global industries. Bangkok remains one of the most connected aviation hubs in the region. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continues to attract long-term foreign investment in logistics, manufacturing, and technology. International exhibitions, sporting events, and large-scale conventions increasingly treat Thailand not as an emerging market, but as a base from which to serve a wider geographic area. Even unconfirmed reports, such as discussions around a potential Disneyland project in Thailand, point to how global operators are now evaluating the country as a regional center rather than a peripheral destination.
The Formula One proposal fits directly into this pattern.
Next steps to bring F1 to Bangkok
A detailed feasibility study is expected to run through 2028, incorporating public feedback, environmental assessments, and transport planning. Final approval for each year of the event will depend on Cabinet endorsement and budget allocation.
If approved, the F1 Thailand Grand Prix would become one of Southeast Asia’s highest-profile international sporting events, placing Bangkok on the global Formula One calendar for the first time.
Paul Rujopakarn