The Royal Turf Club of Thailand is spending 600 million baht to renovate its non-horse racing area into sports and service facilities to attract young people.
The move comes as horse racing activities at the Royal Turf Club are on the decline.
The club's members chose Bangkok Jockey Club Co for its renovation proposal, in which the company will jointly oversee the renovation programme and manage the facilities when they are completed in a few years.
The Royal Turf Club wants to connect more with nearby communities and attract young people to use its services, said Akachai Lorcharoenvathanachai, chief communication officer of Bangkok Jockey Club (BJC).
"We proposed to use sports and service facilities to draw more young, urban people to the turf club. This could change the image Thais have of it as a gambling venue, which some of them dislike," he said.
Called the "Community Hive" project, the turf club's existing sports facilities will be upgraded while its restaurants will be given a modern atmosphere. Performance shows will be added along with famous food, especially Thai desserts from the nearby Nang Lerng community.
The non-horse racing space at the Royal Turf Club represents 70% of the total space now, with 30% for the stadium and horse racing tracks.
Among the non-horse racing space, sport facilities such as tennis and badminton courts, a swimming pool, and a golf course take up 30% of the total space, restaurants and member lounges comprise 20% and event space 20%.
The member's lounge is being renovated first to kick-start the project.
The Royal Turf Club was built by King Rama VI a century ago as horse racing was his favourite sport. He wanted to promote horse racing as a national sport like in many Western countries. The club also has a long-time connection with the Nang Lerng community.
"Bringing in some famous food and performance shows such as puppetry, khon (pantomime) and lakhon chatri (theatre performance) from the Nang Lerng community will help grow community business as well," Mr Akachai said.
BJC plans to start adding the food and performance shows from Nang Lerng community at the club's buffet restaurant next month, he said.
The Ramrakop Restaurant is projected to be renovated as a luxury eatery with fusion food served by chefs trained at Michelin-starred restaurants.
The tennis and badminton courts will be relocated to a single complex with the swimming pool and spa. After the removal of badminton courts from an old building, the venue will be renovated to be an event space.
"We will work carefully on the renovation as the turf club is an iconic place in Thai society. By 2019, Bangkokians will clearly see the upgrades we've done here," Mr Akachai said.