What Is Chang International Circuit?
Chang International Circuit is the highest level motorsport race track in Thailand, located in the city of Buriram. Designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in October 2014, the facility was built to international standards at a cost of approximately 2 billion Thai Baht. The track spans 4.554 km with 12 turns on the Grand Prix layout, featuring a roughly 1 km main straight followed by a heavy braking zone that makes for dramatic overtaking.
What Racing Happens Here?
The venue is best known as the home of the Thailand Grand Prix MotoGP round, which debuted in 2018 and drew capacity crowds of over 100,000 spectators. World Superbike, Asian Le Mans Series, and Super GT have all raced here. On the car side, GT3 machinery, TCR Thailand, and touring cars have won championships on this track. Media coverage of each race weekend reaches millions of viewers across Asia.
Beyond the headline events, the facility hosts track days for the public, corporate driving experiences, and regional racing series throughout the year. The grandstand complex seats thousands, and the paddock has been upgraded multiple times to meet the demands of world championship events.
History and Significance
Before Buriram, Thailand had no venue capable of hosting top tier international motorsport. The construction of this race track transformed the province into a sporting destination, with hotels, restaurants, and transport infrastructure built around it. The Thailand Grand Prix put the country on the global motorsport map, and the economic impact on the region has been significant.
How Do I Get There?
Buriram is reachable by domestic flight (about 1 hour from Bangkok) or by car (4 to 5 hours via the northeast motorway). During major race weekends, shuttle services run from Buriram city center to the track. For visitors, combining a race trip with exploration of the nearby Phanom Rung temple makes for a worthwhile weekend.
