The Thai government is actively exploring the possibility of attracting a globally recognised theme park brand to its Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), according to local media reports. The flagship initiative is seen as a potentially significant boost to tourism and a way to buttress crucial transport infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also chairs the EEC policy board, says Thailand is ready to host the region’s first Disneyland. If it is built, it would be the fifth Disney park in Asia, following two locations in Tokyo and one each in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The initiative is directly linked to the country’s high-speed rail project, which aims to link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, as well as the long-delayed development of the latter airport (which is near Pattaya) and its surrounding aviation city. Phiphat said these key infrastructure “will not happen” without the creation of new incentives to draw visitors to the area.
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Officials have been instructed to analyse and design incentives and to secure land for “magnet projects” such as a major theme park, which would draw both Thai and foreign visitors to travel throughout the year, thereby increasing passenger numbers on the new rail link.
According to studies, a Disneyland theme park would require between 144 and 480 hectares. The development of such a park is being considered alongside a planned 240-hectare national sports complex, which would include an 80,000-seat world-class football stadium.
Officials are now exploring the negotiation of rights for Disneyland to be developed in Thailand, noting that the company currently has no location in the ASEAN region. Phiphat stressed that he would first invite Disney to invest directly, but if this is unsuccessful, a licence could be purchased to operate the project.
