The decision taken on Friday by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to ban a Formula One race in the historic Rattanakosin district in 2015 was the right one for several reasons. First and foremost is the inconvenience it would have caused in a part of town that is home to many important government offices and institutions as well as international organisations, and is normally in gridlock for several hours of the day.

Preparations before the race include lining the streets with safety barriers to block cars from going into the crowd or damaging historic buildings in the case of accidents, and putting wire netting above the barriers to block anything thrown from damaged cars. Stands for seating would have to be constructed, and in some cases these might cause conflicts with local business owners.

The race cars themselves would be on the streets for three days; two days for practice runs and support races, and the race day on a Sunday. Taking into account the clean-up after the event, an F1 race on Rattanakosin Island would disrupt traffic and business for at least a week.

Even more time consuming, road surfaces in the area would have to be vastly improved to handle the punishment dealt out by the supercars and to ensure the safety of drivers. While this may ultimately be a good thing, it would inevitably lead to lengthy disruptions even if most of the work was done at night. Another factor to consider is that the noise generated by an F1 event is deafening. The fans expect this and may even enjoy it after a fashion. But there are a great many homes, offices, temples and businesses in the area where it would not be appreciated.

In general, street races are a disappointment except in a city like Monaco where the sport has a long tradition and the streets are in a sense custom made for it. For one thing, passing opportunities on ordinary city streets are rare, taking much of the excitement out of the event and conceivably introducing greater risk for drivers trying to pull off a pass in a narrow window of opportunity. In order to stage a successful F1 event, Singapore has built massive infrastructure, complete with viewing decks to adapt the city for its annual race. It is unclear whether there is the will or means to do the same in Bangkok or any other Thai city. To a large extent Melbourne has circumvented problems inherent in hosting a race in the city by running its course through a large suburban park.

The decision to make Rattanakosin off limits for F1 came after widespread complaints from residents, although according to Kriangphon Pattanarat, director-general of the City Planning Department, "a law came into effect on May 16 prohibiting car racing in inner Bangkok because that area is a conservation for culture and arts."

By all indications the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Tourism and Sports Ministry are determined to press ahead with plans for Formula One in Thailand, but they will have to consider an alternative venue very carefully. There has been some talk of hosting the event around the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana and Muang Thong Thani, as well as in Phuket. The latter may be the better choice, with a course that takes in a portion of the Andaman coastline. But if there is to be F1 in Thailand, the best choice of all may be further north in an area with a higher altitude. It's no secret that drivers dislike races in places such as Singapore and Malaysia because of the heat and humidity.

Even in temperate climates the temperature in the cockpit averages around 50C. The tremendous heat, on top of forces up to 5gs and the sheer stress of maintaining absolute concentration for hours on end take a brutal toll on the drivers, who must be very fit. The lower temperatures and humidity of Nakhon Ratchasima around Khao Yai or Chiang Mai near Doi Inthanon in November or December would be welcomed by both drivers and spectators.

However, before another venue is chosen the Sports Authority and the Tourism and Sports Ministry should ask themselves what Thailand really has to gain from hosting a premiere event in a sport the country has no history in.

The cost alone _ estimated at about 1.2 billion baht but almost certain to exceed that _ may be prohibitive. Wouldn't that money be better spent improving roads or rail lines?

In the final analysis, Thailand really doesn't need F1 racing or any other mega event to draw tourists.

People from around the world are already happy to come here for the beaches, food, people and relaxed, tolerant culture.

How does a hi-octane F1 race fit with that?