Bangkok: Thailand's plans for a Formula One Grand Prix in 2015 could be scrapped if the sport insists on it being held in Bangkok, the country's tourism and sports minister was quoted as saying on Friday.
"We may have to cancel the proposed grand prix," the Bangkok Post quoted Somsak Phurisisak as saying after protests by locals and environmentalists and legislation against racing in the historic area of the city.
He said the island resort of Phuket could be an alternative, along with the cities of Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima in northeast Thailand.
However, any plans for races there would depend on the approval of the sport's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, who draws up the calendar.
The Thai authorities have been talking about hosting a floodlit night race around the streets of Bangkok with an agreement in principle for the country's F1 debut reached with Ecclestone last year.
Critics have said the noise and vibrations of a race in Bangkok could damage the city's historic landmarks and Buddhist temples.
Formula One already has Grands Prix in nearby Malaysia, on a circuit, and a night-time street race in Singapore.
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