The Thai government has been keen to promote its global image through major sporting events. As it targets a F1 race by 2027, questions remain over the impact, costs and benefits of such a move.

By some estimates, Thailand has the potential to eclipse Singapore's glitzy casinos, in part by luring heavy hitters such as Las Vegas Sands Corp, MGM Resorts International and Galaxy Entertainment.

Most of the world's population is exposed to polluted air and or those living in cities with chronically bad air, the smog ...