2026 Bangkok International Motor Show: Bonus Content

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Today’s post is going to be a very quick, chill one, just to have a little look through some of the stuff at the Bangkok International Motor Show that didn’t really fit into my main posts (which you can read through here:

Chinese manufacturers: https://motorsportformentalhealth.com/2026/04/05/2026-bangkok-international-motor-show-chinese-manufacturers/

Japanese manufacturers: https://motorsportformentalhealth.com/2026/04/10/2026-bangkok-international-motor-show-japanese-manufacturers/

European manufacturers: 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show: European Manufacturers – Motorsport For Mental Health)

Firstly, we have a display of Formula Student cars from the Thai Society of Automotive Engineers (TSAE).

TSAE organise the Formula Student competition between different universities in Thailand.

In Formula Students, university students build these little open wheeled race cars to compete in a number of challenges against other universities.

There are Formula Student events across the world. The U.K has a particularly strong program for it.

DAMD Styling Effect make a range of bodykits to transform your Suzuki Jimny into look-a-likes of a whole host of cars from rally legends like the Lancia Delta and Renault 5 to bigger off-roaders like the Land Rover Defender:

Or the Mercedes G-Class:

This GR86 was also on the DAMD Styling Effect stand. I can never walk past an 86!

I couldn’t find any information for this bodykit, but they do a kit for the earlier GT86 (my one) that takes a lot of styling cues from the Lexus LFA called the LFT-86.

Here’s a link, for my future self, incase I want to make a terrible financial decision.

https://www.damd.co.jp/products/toyota/lft-86

Finally, at the foyer of the convention centre was this beautiful display of cars from the Thai Royal Family’s collection.

There was an Austin Champ from King Rama X’s personal collection. The Champ is a little British made Jeep used by the British and Commonwealth Armies in the 1950s. Apparently this car came into Royal ownership in 2015 and was restored back to its’ original military green after having had a colour change at some point in its’ life.

The Thai military never officially used the Austin Champ, so I’m not sure what the connection is. Perhaps His Majesty just liked it? It does look like a lot of fun to drive!

A 1979 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, originally owned by the late Rama IX. From what I can make out he used this car in the countryside and it was restored shortly after his passing in 2016.

I believe the car was sent overseas to be restored, and I tip my hat to the company that restored it along with the team who maintain it. This was a beautifully presented concours condition car!

A Cadillac DTS parade car used on three occasions on royal parades by both Rama IX and X.

All official Thai royal vehicles are painted in this lovely cream colour which really suits this Cadillac.

Note the handles replacing the front headrests, for His Majesty to hold onto when waving to crowds.

Along with this beautiful bonnet ornament which I believe represents The Garuda (Phra Khrut Pha) who is half-human, half-eagle and is the mount (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu, the reincarnation of Kings.

This symbolism is often found on official state cars.

I often feature pre-war cars on this website. In that era such an ornament would double as a Radiator cap. In that period the Thai royal family had a Rolls Royce Phantom which I imagine looked exquisite in that cream with The Garuda as a radiator cap.