The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is considering transforming the historic Supachalasai National Stadium, located on Rama I Road, into a concert venue.

A specific proposal from the minister

This move follows the expiration of the Department of Physical Education's management contract for the stadium. Ownership of the facility will soon revert to Chulalongkorn University, which owns the land. Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced plans to negotiate with the university to enable private-sector involvement in leasing the stadium for concerts. This initiative could redefine the stadium's role in Bangkok’s cultural and entertainment scene. The venue could host concerts and major sporting events, potentially positioning Thailand as a prime destination for international competitions.

The popularity of Supachalasai National Stadium as a new venue for hosting major sporting events could also significantly impact the growth of online sports betting in Thailand. Sports fans there are often looking for other activities besides attending matches, including online, so they benefit from favourable offers, bonuses and of course winnings.

We will propose various models to demonstrate how Chulalongkorn University and the public can benefit from this collaboration, Sorawong explained. He added that preliminary discussions with the university have taken place, with formal negotiations expected soon. The government is also open to public-private investments, Sorawong noted, emphasizing the stadium’s prime location in Pathumwan, the heart of Bangkok. Such development projects could inject significant economic activity into the surrounding areas.

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The rich history of a landmark

Construction of the stadium began in 1937 on the grounds of Thailand’s original Windsor Palace, which was demolished in 1935. It was named in honor of Luang Suphachalasai (Bung Suphachalasai), regarded as the father of Thai sports and the first Director General of Thailand's Department of Physical Education. Today, the stadium is mainly used for football matches. It served as the main venue for the Asian Games in 1966, 1970, and 1978 and was used during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. The stadium has a seating capacity of 19,793.

Thai league clubs often use Supachalasai for Asian competitions, as many of their home stadiums do not meet the Asian Football Confederation's standards. However, the national football team rarely plays there now, preferring Rajamangala National Stadium. Notably, Michael Jackson performed two concerts at the stadium during his Dangerous World Tour on August 24 and 27, 1993, attracting a combined audience of 140,000.