BANGKOK — Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a 3.99 billion baht (US$123 million) budget to host the MotoGP World Motorcycle Championship from 2027 to 2031, despite criticism from the opposition Pheu Thai Party over the rush to renew the contract.
The decision, proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, authorizes Thailand to bid for a new five-year hosting deal for the premier motorcycle racing series. The budget cap is set at 3,997.86 million baht, adjustable for currency fluctuations.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ayrin Phanthurit said the event is expected to generate up to 24.9 billion baht in economic value, citing tourism, hospitality, and local business benefits. Surveys from previous events between 2018 and 2025 found that each race drew an average of 206,000 spectators, both local and foreign, contributing to spending across accommodation, transport, and restaurants.
Ayrin added that MotoGP attracts nearly 800 million viewers across 207 countries, boosting Thailand’s profile in the global sports industry and reinforcing its appeal as a major tourism destination.
However, Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Suksit Srijomkhwan questioned the government’s urgency, alleging the renewal primarily benefits vested interests. He noted that event costs have risen yearly while sponsorships have declined, forcing greater reliance on public funds.
Suksit contrasted the move with the former Pheu Thai-led government’s negotiations to bring Formula 1 (F1) to Thailand, citing F1’s larger audience and higher potential economic returns. Both F1 and MotoGP are owned by Liberty Media, but he said the current administration appeared focused solely on MotoGP, which is held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram province—a facility linked to Newin Chidchob, an influential figure in the ruling Bhumjaithai Party.
The Chang circuit has been at the center of a long-running land dispute involving the State Railway of Thailand over the Khao Kradong area, where the track was built.
Globally, MotoGP drew around 677 million cumulative viewers in 2024, averaging 33.9 million per race. Formula 1, meanwhile, recorded a fanbase of 826 million and roughly 1.6 billion total viewers, maintaining its position as the world’s most-watched motorsport.
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