In 2015, Chantra was one of the protagonists in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, however his season was interrupted by an injury that led to him missing some races. In 2016, he competed in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship and following a brilliant 9th place wildcard finish at the 2018 Thai GP, the Thai rider got his opportunity to prove himself on the World Championship scene with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in the Moto2™ class in 2019. Chantra impressed for much of the season despite missing three dates due to injury and scored 23 points with a 9th place best result at his home GP. Despite raised expectations, in 2020 the results were not as expected. He only managed to collect 10 points throughout the season and finished 25th place in the standings. There were improvements the following year, with a fifth place finish at the Austrian GP the highlight of the year. 2022 proved a big year for Chantra, as he stunned in the Mandalika rain to claim Thailand’s first ever Grand Prix win, which he followed up two weeks later with a second place in Argentina, and then two further podiums followed in a breakout campaign. In 2023, the Thai rider would further elevate his performance, culminating in a triumphant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. Concluding the season in sixth place, he achieved his most impressive overall result thus far. The question now arises: will he be able to mount a serious challenge for the championship in 2024?
Rider Stats
Videos
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Meet the rookies: Ogura, Aldeguer and Chantra asses MotoGP™ debuts
Just try and wipe the smiles off the faces of Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer and Somkiat Chantra after the Barcelona Test!
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FIRST WORDS: Chantra admits to tears of joy after sealing dream MotoGP™ move
Making history for Thailand, the rider with the biggest smile in the paddock will line up on the 2025 premier class grid with LCR Honda!
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Chantra talks LCR links: It's my dream to be a MotoGP™ rider
The Thai rider is strongly rumored to be in discussions with Honda for a potential move to the premier class in 2025
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Press Conference 3: Acosta, Arbolino and Chantra
It's match point for the intermediate class title race, and the top two in the Championship are joined by a home hero to look forward to the action
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The Thai GP kicks into gear as MotoGP™ hits Bangkok
A whole of host of premier class stars were joined by local favourites to help build the hype towards the action this weekend at Buriram
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Moto2™: Lopez leaves it late for pole
The Spaniard jumped from the bottom of the timesheets to P1 with a lap record to steal pole from Aron Canet, with Somkiat Chantra in P3
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Moto2™: Post race thoughts from Fernandez, Canet and Chantra
Hear from your podium finishers after an eventful Moto2™ French Grand Prix
Rider Bio
Bike
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Date of birth
15/12/1998
Place of birth
Chon Buri, Thailand
Height
172 cm
Weight
63 kg
Rider Story
News
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Somkiat Chantra and Thailand set for historic MotoGP™ chapter
2025 will see the two-time Grand Prix winner become the first-ever Thai rider and the second from the ATC alumni to race in the premier class
By motogp.com -
Thailand's Somkiat Chantra joins IDEMITSU Honda LCR in 2025
The Thai star will make history in 2025 as Chantra gets set for a debut premier class campaign next season
By IDEMITSU Honda LCR -
Chantra ends Friday fastest and denies Roberts the top spot
The #35 was the fastest at the end of Friday ahead of Roberts and Aldeguer with the top three separated by less than one-tenth
By motogp.com -
Chantra leads the charge at the Red Bull Ring
The Thai rider put on a dominant display to top Practice 1 ahead Acosta and Salac
By motogp.com -
A hero's welcome: Chantra honoured by Thai officials
The Moto2™ star met with a host of key government figures at a ceremony in his home country
By motogp.com -
Ogura set for Moto2™ as Honda Team Asia confirm 2021 line-up
The cold-blooded samurai will swap places with Andi Izdihar as Somkiat Chantra and Yuki Kunii retain their Moto2™ and Moto3™ seats
By motogp.com -
Chantra claims maiden Moto2™ top ten in Termas
Thai rider secured P10 in Argentina in just his third Grand Prix appearance
By motogp.com -
Chantra wins the title in dramatic final race
Last date of the season for the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup sees the title decided in the rain at Sepang
By motogp.com
Videos
-
Meet the rookies: Ogura, Aldeguer and Chantra asses MotoGP™ debuts
Just try and wipe the smiles off the faces of Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer and Somkiat Chantra after the Barcelona Test!
-
FIRST WORDS: Chantra admits to tears of joy after sealing dream MotoGP™ move
Making history for Thailand, the rider with the biggest smile in the paddock will line up on the 2025 premier class grid with LCR Honda!
-
Chantra talks LCR links: It's my dream to be a MotoGP™ rider
The Thai rider is strongly rumored to be in discussions with Honda for a potential move to the premier class in 2025
-
Press Conference 3: Acosta, Arbolino and Chantra
It's match point for the intermediate class title race, and the top two in the Championship are joined by a home hero to look forward to the action
-
The Thai GP kicks into gear as MotoGP™ hits Bangkok
A whole of host of premier class stars were joined by local favourites to help build the hype towards the action this weekend at Buriram
-
Moto2™: Lopez leaves it late for pole
The Spaniard jumped from the bottom of the timesheets to P1 with a lap record to steal pole from Aron Canet, with Somkiat Chantra in P3
-
Moto2™: Post race thoughts from Fernandez, Canet and Chantra
Hear from your podium finishers after an eventful Moto2™ French Grand Prix