MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram

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buksida
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MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram

Post by buksida »

Saw this poster stuck on a 7-11 yesterday.
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Tickets available online here: https://www.allticket.com/findex.html?d=1516418794528
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by StevePIraq »

Great that Thailand has secured this event, just a shame it is in Buriram, so far from most places. Rossi said he was disappointed location as the track is boring, just a series on long straights.
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by Gregjam »

Although the tickets are not expensive the biggest problem will be finding a place to stay if you want to be close to the circuit. All the good hotel rooms are already snapped up by the package dealers at extortionate prices. Probably best to make a holiday based in Korat and drive in on the days in question. Would also allow for the other half to have a choice of doing something else while you go to the races. As usual with these events, the closer you are to the venue the more you will be ripped off.
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by Vital Spark »

Drats! We'll be back in blighty then - would have loved to watch it here in Thailand.

You're right, Gregjam. Accommodation is going to be a big problem, unless they allow camping at the circuit which is not a hardship in the lovely, warm temperatures at that time of year.

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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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On the road to Buriram: first stop Bangkok
Ahead of MotoGP's first trip to Buriram, a few of the riders visited the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, to soak in some culture and get to know the Southeast Asian nation – with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins and Andrea Iannone beginning their day with a trip to Wat Arun.

The stunning Wat Arun (or ‘Temple of Dawn’) is a true jewel of the city, and there the riders were received by a Thai dance display and a traditional puppet exhibition. At the temple, they met the Permanent Secretary of Sports and Tourism, Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra, who welcomed the riders to Thailand and gave them flower garlands and a silk loin cloth, which is typical of the Buriram region.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/1 ... kok/249566
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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Tourism in Buri Ram revs up for Thai Grand Prix
Tourism preparation is underway to ensure that the appropriate accessibility and facilities are in place for the country’s first ever Grand Prix (MotoGP) in Buri Ram in October, when the province plays host to more than 200,000 visitors from around the world.

Anan Wongbenjarat, Director General of the Department of Tourism (DOT) led a team of officials to visit local communities over the weekend to prepare for the mobile cabinet meeting in Buri Ram and Surin next week (May 7-8). The authorities also followed up on the DOT policies to support local efforts to improve tourism facilities such as wheelchair ramps, walkways, clean toilets, and information centres.

Tourism development to generate income for local communities will be one of the main topics of discussion during the mobile cabinet meeting next week. During his visit, Mr Anan presided over the building of wheelchair ramps and walkways at the community souvenir shop of Ban Khok Mueang in Prakhon Chai District. The project adheres to the DOT’s Tourism 'For All' policy to improve accessibility for visitors across the board. He also handed over a number of bicycles to support community-based tourism in the region.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... s/30344562
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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Reminder that this is on next month. Anyone going?

I've booked up for the Malaysian GP at Sepang as it is half the price of the Thai one - go figure.
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by Gregjam »

Would have gone but for the lack of hotel rooms available unless you buy into a package. Would look to go next year but suspect it will be the same issue with getting a room even remotely close to the circuit.
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by Thailightzone »

I'm interested to go in 2019
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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Buriram ready for the big day
Thailand is ready to stage its first MotoGP race in Buri Ram next week, organisers said on Monday.

The inaugural PTT Thailand Grand Prix will be held at Chang International Circuit in the northeastern province from Oct 5-7.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat told a press conference that more than 100,000 tourists are expected to visit the country and the province during the event.

"We are ready to take care of participants, fans and Thai and foreign tourists who will visit Buri Ram,'' he said.

"The event is expected to generate billions of baht."

He claimed the event will be watched on TV by some 800 million people worldwide.

"This is an important step for Thailand to show it can host a world-class sporting event," Weerasak said.

Thailand has secured the rights to stage the MotoGP for three years.

Ruj Saeng-udom, deputy governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said the SAT, as the main organiser, will do its best to make the event a success.

"This is an opportunity for our country to earn global recognition. The Thailand Grand Prix will put the country on the global motorsport map. It will also help promote Thailand's tourism and economy and make the country a world-class sports destination," he said.

Buri Ram governor Anusorn Kaewkangwan said: "We have prepared everything for the convenience of a large number of visitors who will flock the province."

Tanaisiri Chanvitayarom, managing director of Buri Ram International Circuit Co which owns Chang International Circuit, said the company has been working hard with parties concerned to ensure that every thing is in top condition during the race week.

During the event, there will also be several activities including a Muay Thai Expo featuring legendary fighters Samart Payak-aroon and Somluck Kamsing, and concerts by Waan Thanakrit, Atom Chanakant, Getsunova and BNK48.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports ... he-big-day

Lets hope we don't get anyone going the wrong way round the circuit ... :duck:
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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Immigration police gear up for MotoGP invasion

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... p-invasion

Immigration police are gearing up for Thailand's first MotoGP event to be held in Buri Ram next weekend where large crowds of foreign and local spectators are expected to gather.

Between 80,000-100,000 spectators are projected to attend the international racing "PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018" to be held at Chang International Circuit on Oct 5-7.

Pol Maj Gen Kittikorn Boonsom, commander of Immigration Division 4, said immigration officers were setting up teams to examine passports at Buriram airport after the Interior Ministry announced the local airport would be an immigration checkpoint.

Foreign visitors are allowed to enter the country via the airport and some nationalities are also allowed to seek visas upon arrival, he said.

The Immigration Bureau's Personal Identification Blacklist Immigration Control System (PIBICS) will be up and running at the airport to try and identify criminal suspects who may try to sneak in.

There will be four immigration stations each for handling arriving and departing passengers at the airport, Pol Maj Gen Kittikorn said.

Starting on Monday, an immigration checkpoint will be launched at Chang International Circuit to provide necessary services to foreign visitors who want to extend their stay, report in or update their addresses.

Five smart patrol vehicles quipped with PIBICS will be deployed at key strategic locations including the airport and the racing circuit, he added.

Immigration officers will be drawn from nearby provinces such as Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket and Roi Et to support the operations.

He said local police in Buri Ram and their peers from various agencies including the Tourist Police Bureau will be coordinating closely to beef up security for the visitors.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said early this week that more than 100,000 tourists are expected to visit the country and the province during the event.

According to Mr Weerasak, the sporting event, which will see 90 riders race in three categories, is likely to spur local tourism and generate billions of baht and will be watched on TV by some 800 million people worldwide.
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

Post by buksida »

A shame not to have Lorenzo in the race and that Rossi couldn't hold the lead but the final battle was great entertainment.

Naturally a Thai politician had to put his foot into his mouth ...

Junta deputy Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan on Monday denied being jeered when he attended a Sunday motorcycle race, insisting that he was instead being welcomed.

Prawit visited the Chang International Circuit in Buriram province – home to the 15th race of the year’s MotoGP championship – accompanied by Newin Chidchob, a former influential politician behind the race track project.

The incident occurred when Prawit entered the track and made a short remark, mistakenly calling the event a “MotoCP” race – CP being the acronym of the Charoen Pokphand Group, the kingdom’s largest conglomerate – causing the crowd’s confusion and laughter.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/culture/2 ... cp-remark/
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Oct 2018

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Thailand the real winner of Buri Ram spectacle

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports ... recent_box

The PTT Thailand Grand Prix, the country's first ever MotoGP event, has been hailed as a big success.
The three-day extravaganza at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram attracted 205,000 people, according to figures from the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the main organiser of the event.
The ministry said the event generated about 3.1 billion baht and created 7,749 jobs mainly in the tourism industry.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat posted on his Facebook account that "Mr Carmelo [Ezpeleta], CEO of Donna [Dorna] Sports [the commercial rights holder of MotoGP] told Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, chairman of the organising committee that the organising of the first motorcycle championship is the best ... among first-time organisers in the company's 27 years of staging MotoGP."

Four-time world champion Marc Marquez of Honda became the first MotoGP champion of the Thailand Grand Prix.
The Spaniard beat Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso, who came in second, and Yamaha's Maverick Vinales, who was third.
With the win, Marquez extended his championship lead to 77 points with four races remaining.

Somkiat Chantra, of AP Honda Racing Thailand, became the first Thai rider to gain points at the Thailand Grand Prix after finishing ninth in Moto3.
His performance should be a boost for AP Honda's ambition of seeing a Thai in the top category, MotoGP, by 2025.
There have been Thai racers competing in Moto2 and Moto3 but with little success.

Moto3 star Nakarin Athirattapuwapat is currently the only Thai in the world motorcycle championship.
Meanwhile, Marquez proved he is one of the most popular MotoGP riders in Thailand.

During his stay in the Kingdom, he was followed by a large number of Thais as AP Honda organised an event for his fans to meet him.
He also helped promote Thailand as a tourist destination with a ride past some of Bangkok's attractions, including the Giant Swing and the Democracy Monument.
Marquez also drove a tuk tuk and ate khao moo daeng (rice with red pork with a sweet sauce) at a famous shop near the Giant Swing.

Newin Chidchob, who owns the Chang International Circuit, emerged as one of the major winners.
Newin played a key role in bringing MotoGP to Thailand and was successful in persuading the government, through the Sports Authority of Thailand, which is under the Tourism and Sports Ministry, to help fund the event.

The SAT last year signed a deal with Dorna Sports to host MotoGP for three years starting this year.
"We have achieved our goals," said Newin's after last Sunday's race.
"We expected to see more than 200,000 people to come here and we achieved that. It helped hotels and restaurants, among other businesses, in Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin to earn money."

Initially, Newin wanted the circuit to host a Formula One event but he knows that it's too early to think about the top four-wheel race.
"You may need more than 1.5 billion baht to organise a Formula One race which is very expensive. MotoGP is more popular than Formula One in Thailand and watching MotoGP is more affordable for motorsport fans here," said Newin.

He added that the government should try to extend the MotoGP contract with Dorna Sports.
Newin said Prawit made the right decision to fund the event.

Unfortunately, Prawit is probably not so popular as he was booed by sections of spectators during his speech ahead of the race at Chang International Circuit.
It was reported that he called the event "MotoCP" instead of "MotoGP".
However, Prawit later argued that the spectators did not boo but cheered to welcome him.

And of course, cannot leave out the most important part:
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram

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Govt nod for Thailand GP extension likely soon
The government is expected to approve the Thailand Grand Prix's contract extension next month, the country's sporting chief said on Monday.

Under the current contract with Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, the Kingdom will host its third and final Thailand Grand Prix next year.

Dorna wants Thailand to be a MotoGP host for another five years, Thai officials said.

Sports Authority of Thailand governor Gongsak Yodmani said the company has already submitted related documents and conditions for the country to consider.

He added that parties concerned would gather information on what the country has gained from organising the race.

Economic and tourism benefits arising from hosting the Thailand Grand Prix for five more years will be ascertained and should be ready for submission to the cabinet for consideration by next month, Gongsak said.

"Thailand has massively benefited from hosting MotoGP," Gongsak said.

"A contract extension should be complete after the cabinet approves it in November."

According to an estimate by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the second Thailand Grand Prix in Buri Ram at the weekend enjoyed a slight increase in the number of spectators over three days.

There were 226,655 spectators from Friday to Sunday -- 4,120 more than last year's tally.

As for the new contract, the SAT will ask the government to shoulder two-thirds of the annual fee for Dorna to help ease the financial burden on the private sector, Gongsak said.

The annual fee to host a MotoGP race is reportedly 300 million baht and the government currently helps pay one-third.

Chang International Circuit, the venue of the Thailand Grand Prix, takes care of the remaining two-thirds.

The third Thailand Grand Pix will be held in March next year at the same venue and it could be a night race to avoid the heat, said circuit owner Newin Chidchob.

Honda's Marc Marquez sealed his sixth MotoGP world title on Sunday after beating Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.

The Spaniard also won the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix last year.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/1766 ... ikely-soon
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Re: MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram

Post by J.J.B. »

I went to the MotoGP in Buriram and while I can’t say much about Buriram, the atmosphere and spectacle was great. I have been riding bikes for over 25 years but can’t say I’m any kind of fan of MotoGP or other motorsports come to that. I was with a friend who is MotoGP crazy and it was a chance for me to get back to Thailand for a short break. The weekend was great and I managed to find a decent hotel room about 5km away from the circuit with only three weeks to go, having changed from my previous booking in Surin; must have been a last minute cancellation. What saved the event for me was the Grab app—really useful!
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