Thailand – Two mega football stadium projects to be implemented soon
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has revealed plans for two mega projects: the modernization of the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, transforming it into a “smart stadium,” and the construction of a new sports complex in Chon Buri province, which will serve as the new national stadium.
Time for renovation
The modernization of the 36-year-old stadium has been long-awaited. The facility was initiated by the national sports authority in 1997 to host the 1998 Asian Games. At its opening, it could hold about 65,000 spectators, but only because seats were installed only in the western, main stand. The remaining stands, uncovered, were cheap stands for the masses. Their standard was raised only in 2006 when the facility was prepared for the 2007 Asian Cup, the Asian equivalent of the Euro. The project was created at a university in Bangkok, and a local company handled the construction.
The facility is characterized by a very dynamic form – the lowest point of the stand is behind the goals, and the highest is at the midfield line. The ends of the stadium, several dozen meters high, are visible even from a distance in the urban landscape, although up close, the stadium does not look as impressive – low-quality concrete was used, which, combined with Thailand’s climate, already gives the impression of being worn out.
SAT governor Kongsak Yodmanee stated that the estimated cost of renovating Rajamangala will be up to €130 million and will include upgrades to security systems and smart facilities at the venue in the Hua Mak district of Bangkok.
SAT will invite private partners to invest in the modernization of Rajamangala so that it can proudly represent Thailand to an international audience, Kongsak Yodmanee said, quoted by nationthailand.com.
The second project involves the construction of a new sports complex in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi, which SAT will lease from the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office. The second project will cost around €260 million, and its funding will come from the government budget and private investors under a public-private partnership model, he said. The new complex will serve as the new national stadium and will host sporting events and concerts that contribute to the economy.
Kongsak said that the new stadium will be easily accessible by road and rail, and it is also located near U-Tapao International Airport, providing an alternative to Rajamangala Stadium, which is in the most congested part of Bangkok. The new stadium plan will soon be presented to SAT committees before being submitted for cabinet approval, as required for all development projects in the EEC area, Kongsak said.
Source: http://stadiumdb.com/news/2024/07/thailand_two_mega_football_stadium_projects_to_be_implemented_soon
