THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Minister promises MotoGP in Buriram to be Covid-19 free

Minister promises MotoGP in Buriram to be Covid-19 free

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has promised effective preventive measures against Covid-19 as Thailand is still determined to host MotoGP next month.

Minister promises MotoGP in Buriram to be Covid-19 free

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

Speaking at a press conference in Bangkok today (February 27), the deputy prime minister displayed confidence in the preparation by all sectors involved to facilitate visitors from their arrivals in the Kingdom. Thailand is to hold the second circuit of the MotoGP in 2020 between March 21-22 in Buriram province.


He said: “Regarding the measures put in place to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 virus among the fans; the organisers, riders and teams, staffs, hotel and restaurant operators and other businesses in Buriram and surrounding provinces are confident that the Ministry of Public Health is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Buriram Provincial Administrative Organization and other relevant agencies to best guarantee a safe environment. We hope to promote the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 as a Covid-19-free race, it will increase confidence in the country and its public health system that will be recognised worldwide, resulting in more income for the country and its people.”


According to the deputy prime minister, Thailand has generated over Bt6 billion from the first two editions of the Thailand MotoGP (2018-2019).


“This year, the figure might be slightly affected by the current global situation, but it is believed that, once the situation improves, the MotoGP race will once again be the magnet that draws even more motorsport fans from around the world to Thailand. That is because they lauded the Thai circuit as one of the best in the world for entertainment value, and their trips around the country impressed them. After this year’s race, we aim to announce our plan to continue to host the race in the next five years. We are committed to turning this racing event into the top attraction that draws the largest number of visitors to the country,” he added.

Minister promises MotoGP in Buriram to be Covid-19 free


Pipat Ratchakitprakan, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, said despite the decreasing of overseas travel, domestic tourism is still unaffected, and Thailand is still a safe place. Over the past three years, Buriram has been regarded as one of the top destinations that helped generate a huge amount of revenue to the country, thanks to its position as the top hub sports tourism in the country. This year, the ministry is still confident that we will still be able to boost the overall economy of the country by hosting a world-class event like MotoGP.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has upgraded its Pavilion to be even greater than the previous years. Under the theme of Amazing Thailand Festival @ MotoGP in Buriram, the Pavilion is built to showcase distinctive local festivals and Thai customs that are admired internationally. The interactive presentation is designed to highlight Buriram as one of the world’s top tourism destinations in the country. In addition, there will be an exhibition that promotes tourism in the four regions of Thailand, cultural performances, as well as a Thai dessert corners demonstrating the making of traditional Thai snacks and dessert to international visitors. The aim of this is to offer an exotic experience of Thailand that is truly one of a kind.


Tatchakorn Hatthatayakul, governor of Buriram Province, said the province is working with medical and related agencies to establish an action plan to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The mobile checklist units will be deployed to track and monitor the health of tourists at their accommodations.
“ Buriram is 100 per cent and we would like to assure and welcome tourists and motorsport fans to join us in making history together in Buriram ”.


Newin Chidchob, President of Chang International Circuit, concluded that: “Combining our experience from the previous two years with suggestions from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), we are perfectly ready in every aspect. We also take feedback from last year's attendees to improve this year’s event to an even greater level. In terms of the track preparation, everything has been in place, almost 100 per cent.
Regarding the Covid-19 situation, our experience hosting many large-scale events which have welcomed around ten thousand of participants to Buriram assures that we have public health measures in place to screen and effectively control spread of the virus . We hosted the “Buriram Marathon” recently, welcoming more than 70,000 runners and their families to our province. We were able to manage the running event effectively without any issues , ensuring us to be qualified as the Silver Marathon organiser , the first of the country, before stepping up to secure the Gold Label in the following year. This certifies our readiness in all aspects, contributed by the so-called Buriram Model by integrating the private and public sectors.
As for the organisation of the MotoGP, Chang International Circuit has prepared strict measures on motorsport fans. Screening points will be set up, more than 100,000 prices of Buff mask will be distributed, and hand-sanitising gel will be provided at the entrances of the circuit and along the way to the stadium. Moreover, visitors will have access to a guide detailing measures that they can take for protection of the virus, which will be handed out and can be downloaded at “BURIRAM HEALTHY” application.

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