Singapore could lose F1 night race boasting rights to Thailand in 2014

Who will win the race?

According to OCBC, in the tourism industry, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are often grouped together by tourists seeking a multi-country trip. Barring times of unrest and floods, Thailand is a perennial favorite.

Here's more from OCBC:

Media reports suggest that Thailand could host a Formula One (F1) night race in 2014. If that does take place, it would remove Singapore’s boasting rights to having the only night race on the F1 calendar. The race organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix signed a contract extension till 2017 with F1 management in Sep.

Malaysia has also upped the ante with Legoland, which opened in this Sep, and the Johor Premium Outlets, which opened in Dec 2011. Motorsports City in Johor, Malaysia, will have a 4.5km double-loop circuit, a 1.2km go-kart track and an off-road circuit. It will be certified to host all sorts of car races (apart from single-seaters) and motorcycle races.

The first phase of the city, which will feature the motorhub, is expected to be completed by 2016. Both Legoland and the future Motosports hub are located just north of Singapore. The Singapore Sports Council has not ruled out continuing its plans of having a race circuit in Changi on a 41ha, 30-year lease plot. The project fell through last year because the company selected to build it ran out of funds.

Singapore will need to continue striving to maintain its competitiveness as a tourism hub. This is especially true as Singapore’s neighbours gain increasing tourism visibility and traction through campaigns such as “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”.