Thailand hopes take significant blow after 'frustrating' development

Hopes of a Formula E race in Thailand next season have taken a significant blow, following a "frustrating" development in recent months. 

The recent seven-week gap on the calendar between Jeddah and Miami was created by the cancellation of a race in Chiang Mai, following a change of government. 

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds had met with Thailand's former prime minister in Paris last year, where both the series and the Asian nation outlined intentions to put on a race. 

However, Srettha Thavisin, the former prime minister, was dismissed last August after being found to have violated the constitutional ethics code. 

FE's progress with Thailand has taken a dive since then, with the country's new government having switched its attention to hosting F1. 

Ahead of next season's provisional calendar being submitted to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in May, Dodds addressed the current situation with a potential race in Thailand.

"I'm not massively optimistic," Dodds told RacingNews365 in Miami. "Obviously, we met with the former Prime Minister of Thailand, I met with him personally in Paris. 

"Off the back of that, we announced the intentions to put on a race, as did he. Then, obviously there was a change of government, which kind of stalled everything. 

"As you know, they have said things publicly about an ambition for Formula 1. So it sounds like that's where their focus is. So let's see. I never say never, but it's not top focus for me."

The development is a frustrating one for the all-electric series, with it having hoped to become the first FIA single-seater world championship to race in Thailand.

Despite this, the category is continuing to search for ways to expand in Asia, with the potential of two different cities hosting races in China.

"Look, I guess I would be absolutely lying to you if I said it wasn't a bit frustrating," added Dodds. "On the other hand, we've got so much growth potential in Formula E. 

"Maybe I'm frustrated for an hour, and then I look at all the piles of levers I've got in front of me to focus on, whether it's an EVO sessions or two races in the US, or two races in China, or Gen4 car coming, all that stuff. And I just have to move on with the stuff that matters."