Chiang Mai eyed for F1 track

Published: 28 Jun 2012 at 20.59
Online news:

Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa will propose the construction of a Formula One race-track on land close to the site used for the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 in Chiang Mai.

Mr Chumpol on Thursday said his ministry would conduct a feasibility study on building an F1 circuit near the Royal Park Ratchapruek in tambon Mae Hia of Muang district, which is used to host the annual international horticulture exhibition, in the hope of bringing one of the world’s most popular and lucrative sporting events to Thailand.

Chiang Mai had been selected for the project because the ministry aimed to make optimum use of the property surrounding the flora expo site, which generated revenue for the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organisation) - a state enterprise that supports research and development of royal projects in highland areas in the North.

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shambles
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Discussion 19 : 29 Jun 2012 at 18.5519
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I feel sorry for the animals in the Night Safari ... adjacent to this area ... it is going to upset them ...

... hope this does not happen ....
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corelli
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Discussion 18 : 29 Jun 2012 at 12.3518
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Please not ! Take care of the nature. Otherwise Thailand is not prepared to handle such a Event. It's better to spend the money for the poor people of Thailand, there are so many hungry citizens.
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dragonkrz
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Discussion 17 : 29 Jun 2012 at 12.2617
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Khun Chumpol Silpa-archa this is a really silly idea to bring the F1 - Bernie Ecclestone tax payers money demolishing troop to Thailand.
Thailand has much more important needs and priorities than F1 for a week in a year. Thailand cannot compete financially with Singapore or Shanghai to keep F1 here. All F1 courses are heavily subsidized by governments.
No one of F1 courses in the world makes money on the race. Bernie and his companions get most of it.
Do not do it to Thailand!
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dickemery
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Discussion 16 : 29 Jun 2012 at 10.5016
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F! in Chiang Mai not a good idea wont help driving habits here ? the regime needs to invest in industry up there not set up food stalls give the people jobs l know of a unusally wealthy person up there who seem a bit reluctant to invest ?
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yik
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Discussion 15 : 29 Jun 2012 at 10.0915
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F1 in Chieng Mai? For plenty of reasons, a pretty 'hill-arious' idea!
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moruya
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Discussion 14 : 29 Jun 2012 at 08.5514
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Chiang Mai? A natural choice of course.

Remind me who comes from there!
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commonman
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Discussion 13 : 29 Jun 2012 at 08.2613
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D#2 There are probably more 4 and 5 star hotels in Chiang Mai than in any city of its size in the world. The airport can handle large transports, no problem. True the animals of the night safari would probably never come to love F1. But they have been abused since the place opened and are probably used to it by now.

But Supanburi would be a good alternative. F1 could be supported by the Pompuang Memorial and the Carabao museum and concert hall. With the added benefit of more tea money for the Silpa-Archa clan - a win win.
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drsmith
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Discussion 12 : 29 Jun 2012 at 07.5812
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Improvement in education or F1? There is always a scheme where money can be made, but never a scheme to improve the education or quality of life for most Thai's. There is no budget money for English at the Thailand Physical Institute of Education, but plenty of money for feasibility studies. The Tourism and Sports Minister needs to get his job priorities straight. When 98% of the students at IPE cannot even speak basic english and will work in tourism and sports, this does not bode well for Thailand.
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nowayout
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Discussion 11 : 29 Jun 2012 at 06.5311
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F1 to Thailand...yahoo! Oh but wait, the political parties will claim its a spy mission and require cabinet and parliament to intervene. Don’t except F1 races anytime soon.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 10 : 29 Jun 2012 at 06.4410
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Ridiculous idea! I live near the Royal Flora, it's nice now as it is with this gardens (one of Thaksin's better ideas along with the night safari) and the temple on the hill behind which is older than Chiang Mai itself. Knowing the area well from cycling there I just can't see where you could fit the track, facilities and parking, as it is the new highways cannot cope when the Royal Flora has 'free days', then there's the animals in the safari (think of the noise stress), and the fact that Chiang Mai isn't exactly a world air hub. The speculation during the original Royal Flora and Night Safari opening was disgraceful, and when it was over everyone simply left, leaving their trash and signage. But how about Supan Buri eh?
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