Chumpol surprise on F1 bid
July 4, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Sports, Thailand
BANGKOK, 4 July 2012: Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa says Chiang Mai has been identified as a viable option to host the first ever Formula 1 race in Thailand.
The northern city was chosen as the most suitable venue for the track whichh could be constructed on a site owned by the Royal Agricultural Research Centre. It would use the same area accommodated the second edition of Royal Flora Ratchaphreauk earlier this year.
The tourism minister said Chiang Mai had a better chance of hosting the first F1 event in Thailand as it was more convenient than trying to build a temporary course in the capital.
He reiterated it was all in the study phase and no decision had been made by the Formula 1 brand owners.
“It is in the feasibility phase and we have noted that a F1 event at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre site would benefit … Chiang Mai.”
Mr Chumpol added: “Organising the F1 race in Chiang Mai would reduce noise pollution and there is more space for spectators than would be possible around Bangkok’s Rajdamnoen Avenue.”
If the site could host the event, the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organisation) would need to study the proposal and see if it was possible to adjust the landscape to fit a car race, he said.
Royal Agricultural Research Centre covers 752,000 sq m of land in Mae Hia sub district, Muang district in Chiang Mai.
Thailand hosted a demonstration F1 drive on Rajdamnoen Avenue when Red Bull team driver, Mark Alan Webber, drove a Formula 1 Car on a demo circuit, 18 December 2010, as part of the celebrations for HM the King’s birthday.
Hosting a full-blown F1 race has been cited as a priority by the government and appears in Thailand Conventions and Exhibition Bureau’s business plan alongside hosting the World Expo 2020.
Mad as a brush as usual. How many hotel rooms in Chiang Mai? Also, do the Thai “authorities” realise how much of the work would have to be carried out by farang – design, construction, maintenance, running the actual race, etc are all contracted to companies that work throughout the year on the F1 circuits, for safety and consistency as well as to ensure a (relative) absence of illegal costs. And no mention of any negotiations with the F1 companies themselves to see if there might be a space on the calendar – Chumpol and Co probably think they can do it on their own……….
Never happen. Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa needs to stop tripping on acid