Grand Prix of Thailand

The Grand Prix of Thailand (also called the Thai GP) has been on the MotoGP calendar since the 2018 season after the world championship further grew its presence in Asia.

Thailand represented a key market for MotoGP to explore as the southeastern Asian country is one of the main markets for motorcycle manufacturers in the world. In particular, Honda’s market share in Thailand dwarfs Yamaha’s and rival constructors based in Europe like Ducati.

MotoGP was not the first motorcycle series to stage a race in Thailand, though, as the World Superbike championship beat the premier class to the punch with its visit in 2015. It was not until 2018 that MotoGP held its debut Thai Grand Prix, which Marc Marquez won for Honda.

History of the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix

MotoGP formally added the Thai GP to its calendar for the first time in 2018 when the round received extensive support from the country’s government. Also, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta recognised Thailand’s desire to use MotoGP to further drive tourism to the country.

The initial contract for MotoGP to run a race at the Buriram International Circuit in the north-east part of Thailand was for 2018, 2019 and 2020. Yet the Covid-19 pandemic meant the round could not go ahead in 2020, with that initial contract then shifted by a year into 2021.

Doubts even appeared in the local media in early 2021 that MotoGP may not return to stage a Thai Grand Prix that season. The confusion appeared owing to the government moving the budget for the 2020 event over to 2021. Yet Covid-19 measures meant MotoGP stayed away.

Instead, MotoGP only returned to Buriram for the 2022 Grand Prix of Thailand. By then, the dominance that Honda enjoyed not only at the circuit but generally in MotoGP had reached an end. Marquez won the first two runnings of the Thai GP and set the fastest lap each time.

Marc Marquez won the inaugural Thai Grand Prix with a final corner pass

Miguel Oliveira became the first MotoGP rider not named Marc Marquez to win the Thai GP in 2022 with a sensational charge whilst with KTM Factory Racing. The Portuguese pilot was only the 11th-fastest rider in qualifying but he showed brilliant control to win in heavy rain.

MotoGP had to delay the start of the 2022 Thai GP by almost an hour so extreme was the rain. Yet the wait was worthwhile for Oliveira, who rose to second place by lap eight as Jack Miller led the way. The pair duelled for the lead until Oliveira eventually got it on Lap 14/25.

Ducati beginning to dominate MotoGP as aerodynamics became a greater part of the game then saw the Borgo Panigale brand take control in Buriram. Jorge Martin won the 2023 Thai GP with Pramac, before Francesco Bagnaia won the 2024 race with the factory Ducati crew.

Bagnaia’s result also made the Italian the first rider to win races at the Thai Grand Prix over multiple classes after winning in the debut Moto2 race in 2018. Fabio Di Giannantonio won the first Moto3 Thai GP but Marquez denied Italian riders from winning every class in 2018.

Marquez held off Ducati pilot Andrea Dovizioso of Italy by a mere 0.115 seconds to become the first MotoGP rider to win a Thailand GP. Followed closely by Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi, Dovi tried his luck but Marquez got the cutback exiting the final corner.

What is the Buriram International Circuit like?

German architect Hermann Tilke designed the track which stages the Grand Prix of Thailand, the Buriram International Circuit. The venue currently has the name the Chang International Circuit for sponsorship purposes in countries that do not prohibit the promotion of alcohol.

The track is located in the Buriram province of Thailand and it opened in October 2014 after receiving FIA Grade 1 plus FIM Grade A certification. It was the first circuit in Thailand to get the governing bodies of four and two-wheeled motorsport’s highest level of safety standard.

A capacity crowd of nearly 100,000 fans can go to the MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand at the Buriram International City and see their heroes tackle a 12-corner, clockwise track. The first corner is also more challenging than it seems, with riders regularly running wide on the exit.

Turns 1, 3, 4, 5 and 12 are the major overtaking points at the Buriram International Circuit. It is also possible to fight side-by-side from Turn 4 all the way up to T7 as Jack Miller and Pedro Acosta proved in the 2024 Thai GP. A good run through Turn 9-11 is also vital for a quick lap.

Winners of the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix

Below, MotoGP News has listed every premier class rider to win the Grand Prix of Thailand…