Thailand Motorsport – Racing Series, Circuits, and How to Get Involved

What Is the Motorsport Scene Like in Thailand?

Thailand motorsport operates on two levels. At the top, the country hosts rounds of MotoGP, World Superbike Championship (WSBK), and GT World Challenge Asia at Chang International Circuit in Buriram. These events draw tens of thousands of spectators and put Thailand on the global racing calendar.

At the grassroots level, a network of smaller circuits runs regular track days, time attack competitions, and club racing series. Bira International Circuit near Pattaya, Thailand Circuit in Nakhon Pathom, and Kaeng Krachan Circuit in Phetchaburi all offer open sessions where anyone with a car and a helmet can get on track. The barrier to entry is low compared to most countries.

Between these two levels sits a domestic racing scene that includes the Thailand Super Series, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport series, and various one make championships. The scene is not as large as Japan's or Australia's, but it is growing steadily.

What Racing Circuits Does Thailand Have?

Thailand has five permanent racing circuits, each with a different character and purpose.

Chang International Circuit (Buriram). The flagship. Designed by Hermann Tilke, it is 4.554 km long with 12 turns and holds FIM Grade A and FIA Grade 1 certification. Chang hosts MotoGP, WSBK, and GT World Challenge Asia. It cost 2 billion THB to build and opened in 2014. The facility includes a 50,000 capacity main grandstand and hospitality suites. It is roughly six hours by car from Bangkok or a one hour flight to Buriram Airport.

Bira International Circuit (Pattaya). A 2.41 km FIA certified circuit about 90 minutes southeast of Bangkok. Bira is the most accessible real racetrack from the capital and runs the most frequent track days of any Thai circuit. The layout is technical with 14 turns, an elevation change of 8 meters, and a reputation for punishing mistakes at the fast Turn 1 entry.

Thailand Circuit (Nakhon Pathom). About one hour west of Bangkok, this 2.385 km circuit is popular for club racing and open track days. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than Bira and is often the first track experience for new enthusiasts.

Kaeng Krachan Circuit (Phetchaburi). At 2.912 km with 25 turns and 18 meters of elevation change, Kaeng Krachan offers the most topographic variety of any circuit in Thailand. It opened in 2010 and sits about two hours south of Bangkok.

Bangkok Drag Avenue (Lat Krabang). Not a circuit but a dedicated drag strip near Suvarnabhumi Airport. Drag nights draw turbo Civics, GT-Rs, and built Supras for quarter mile competition.

What International Racing Series Come to Thailand?

Thailand regularly hosts rounds of several international racing championships, all at Chang International Circuit.

MotoGP. The Thailand Grand Prix has been a fixture on the MotoGP calendar since 2018. Marc Marquez won the inaugural race. The event draws over 100,000 spectators across the race weekend and is the biggest sporting event on the Thai calendar.

World Superbike Championship (WSBK). WSBK visits Chang annually. Jonathan Rea dominated the early rounds here during his record championship streak. The weekend typically includes World Supersport and Supersport 300 support races.

GT World Challenge Asia (GTWCA). Formerly Blancpain GT Series Asia, GTWCA brings GT3 and GT4 machinery to Chang. This is the most relevant series for Porsche fans, as Porsche 911 GT3 Rs compete in the GT3 class. Teams from across Asia, including Thai entries, field full grids.

Asian Le Mans Series. The series has included a Chang round in past seasons. LMP2 prototypes and GT3 cars race on the full Tilke layout under the floodlights.

What Domestic Racing Series Run in Thailand?

Thailand's domestic racing scene is active across several series.

Thailand Super Series (TSS). The premier national championship includes GT classes, touring cars, and single seaters. Races run at Chang and occasionally at Bira. The series attracts a mix of professional and gentleman drivers.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport. Toyota runs a one make racing series using the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. It is the best supported grassroots series in Thailand, with factory backing and professional race organization. Rounds take place across multiple circuits.

Bangsaen Grand Prix. A street race held annually in the seaside town of Bangsaen, Chonburi. The circuit runs on public roads closed for the weekend. It is the only street race in Thailand and draws massive crowds. The Bangsaen Grand Prix is a bucket list event for Thai motorsport fans.

Hillclimb Korat. A hillclimb event in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) that attracts everything from modified Civics to purpose built hillclimb cars. The Hillclimb Korat event has become a highlight of the grassroots calendar.

Does Porsche Race in Thailand?

Porsche has a meaningful presence in Thai motorsport, primarily through the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and GT World Challenge Asia.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is a one make series using the 911 GT3 Cup car. It runs as a support race at selected circuits across Asia, and Chang International Circuit has hosted rounds. The series is a stepping stone for drivers aiming to reach international GT racing.

In GTWCA, Porsche 911 GT3 Rs compete against Ferrari 296 GT3s, Mercedes AMG GT3s, and Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evos. Thai teams have fielded Porsche entries in past seasons. The 911 GT3 R is competitive on the Chang layout, where its rear engine traction helps on the acceleration zones between Tilke's signature heavy braking points.

At the club level, Porsche owners participate in track days at Bira and Thailand Circuit. Driving a Porsche in Thailand covers what to expect on track and on the road.

Can You Do a Track Day in Thailand?

Track days in Thailand are accessible, affordable, and run regularly at multiple circuits.

Bira International Circuit runs the most frequent open track days, typically every one to two weeks. A full day session costs approximately 3,000 to 5,000 THB ($85 to $140) depending on the organizer. That includes track time, pit access, and basic timing. You need your own car, a helmet (rentals sometimes available), and closed toe shoes.

Thailand Circuit offers similar pricing and frequency. Kaeng Krachan Circuit runs less often but attracts drivers who want more elevation change and technical variety. Chang International Circuit occasionally opens for track days, though its remote location in Buriram means most participants fly in or make a weekend trip of it.

No racing license is required for open track days. Most organizers group drivers by experience level and enforce passing rules. Some events offer instruction for first timers. For details on what to bring and how track days work, see the Thailand track day guide.

What About Drag Racing in Thailand?

Drag racing in Thailand centers on Bangkok Drag Avenue (BDA) in Lat Krabang, near Suvarnabhumi Airport. BDA is a dedicated drag strip that runs regular events, including organized race nights and open test and tune sessions.

The cars that show up at BDA range from street driven turbo Civics making 300 to 400 horsepower to purpose built drag cars pushing 1,500 plus horsepower. Nissan GT-Rs, Toyota Supras with big single turbo 2JZ setups, and turbo K series Hondas are the most common competitors. The occasional European exotic shows up, but the drag scene in Thailand is dominated by Japanese platforms.

Informal street racing also exists, particularly on Bangkok's expressways late at night. This is not organized or legal, but it is a real part of the culture that influences the modification scene. Many of the turbo kits and engine builds you see at shops in Lat Krabang and Bangna are designed for expressway speed runs as much as for the drag strip.

How Do You Get Into Motorsport in Thailand?

Getting into motorsport in Thailand starts with a track day. No license, no membership, and no special equipment beyond a helmet is required for most open sessions. Book a day at Bira or Thailand Circuit, show up with your car, and drive.

From there, the path depends on your interest. Time attack events offer a competitive step up from open track days without requiring a racing license. These timed sessions let you benchmark your car and driving against the field. Club racing through the Thailand Super Series requires an FIA or national competition license, which can be obtained through the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT).

For drag racing, BDA runs test and tune nights where you can bring your car and run quarter miles without entering a formal competition. The investment is minimal beyond whatever you have already spent on your build.

The Bangkok car culture scene provides the social entry point. Meets like Rising Sunday connect you with owners, mechanics, and drivers who can point you toward the right events, shops, and communities for whatever branch of motorsport interests you.

Renn Driver's Take

I have not driven this car yet. When I do, this section will have my honest take on what it is actually like to live with and drive.

FAQ

Does Thailand have a racetrack?

Thailand has five permanent racing circuits. Chang International Circuit in Buriram is the flagship, hosting MotoGP and WSBK. Bira International Circuit near Pattaya, Thailand Circuit in Nakhon Pathom, and Kaeng Krachan Circuit in Phetchaburi offer regular track days. Bangkok Drag Avenue is a dedicated drag strip near Bangkok.

Can anyone do a track day in Thailand?

Open track days at Bira, Thailand Circuit, and Kaeng Krachan do not require a racing license. You need your own car, a helmet, and closed toe shoes. Sessions cost approximately 3,000 to 5,000 THB ($85 to $140) for a full day.

Does MotoGP race in Thailand?

The Thailand Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit in Buriram has been on the MotoGP calendar since 2018. The event draws over 100,000 spectators across the race weekend.

Is there drag racing in Thailand?

Bangkok Drag Avenue in Lat Krabang is a dedicated drag strip that runs regular race nights and test and tune sessions. The scene is dominated by turbocharged Honda Civics, Nissan GT-Rs, and 2JZ powered Toyota Supras.

Does Porsche race in Thailand?

Porsche competes in GT World Challenge Asia and has had Carrera Cup Asia rounds at Chang International Circuit. At the club level, Porsche owners regularly participate in track days at Bira International Circuit and Thailand Circuit.