Tourism Ministry eyes F1

BANGKOK  Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to revive the country’s bid to host a Formula 1 race.
Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said Thailand has potential to host a Grand Prix, which could be held in Pattaya.
“The objective is to position Pattaya as a sport tourism hub…the city has potential … it has accommodation and varied inernational cuisine to serve tourists as well as infrastructure and facilities to host such a world-class event… it is also not far from Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports.”
inside no 1Suvarnabhumi Airport is 100 km north of the resort and U-Tapao airport is just 30 km south.
“However, the final decision depends on the government,” the minister added.
The idea to host F1 in Thailand was raised two years ago and the ministry identified a city route that skirted the main heritage and temple sites in Rattanakosin, an area where the city’s main historical buildings are located. However, it was shelved due to political problems and objections from local residents who said the race would cause noise and fuel pollution.
The initial idea was floated by the Thailand Conventions and Exhibition Bureau, which promised to back it financially.
There were other proposed venues such as the Government Complex in Honour of His Majesty the King on Chaengwattana Road and Muang Thong Thani in the capital. Also, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen provinces were named as potential sites.
The venue needed to have space for 100,000 spectators and be close to an international airport.
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.
Serious F1 enthusiasts and those who know the organisers of the sport are convinced that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is flying a promotional balloon with little concrete evidence that the race organisers are srerously interested. However, it is understood Red Bull, an energy drink manufacturer that sponsors a F1 team, was backing the propoosal and ready to underwrite some of the costs of hosting.
There were similar “silly” ideas floated such as hosting the Tour de France without studying first the logistics and historical perspective of a race which has never set foot outside Europe.
However, Tour De France organisers did say they would consider the potential for a “branded” one-day event in Thailand that would carry the Tour de France colours and branding, but would be essentially a demo to raise awareness for cycle road racing in Asia.

sourced:ttrweekly.com