Thailand is considering attracting a world-class theme park, such as Disneyland, to operate in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with the aim of making the country home to Asia’s fifth Disneyland.
The major infrastructure projects, including the high-speed rail linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, as well as the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City, require strong “magnet projects” to make them economically attractive for investors. He assigned the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) to design new incentives to attract people and investment into the area.
Beyond the planned 240-hectare national sports complex, which will include an 80,000-seat stadium for international sporting and entertainment events, the EECO has been instructed to identify additional land for major tourism drivers, including an entertainment complex without a casino. A theme park is seen as a key project that could encourage year-round tourism by both Thai and international visitors.
Such a project should involve a globally recognised brand, and suggested that Thailand negotiate rights for Disneyland, noting that there is currently no Disneyland in ASEAN. Studies indicate that a Disneyland-scale project would require between 144 and 480 hectares. Land near the proposed sports complex, largely under the Agricultural Land Reform Office, could be expropriated, with a combined area of about 1,600 hectares potentially available.
Any theme park development would be required to be located away from casino areas, allowing the zone to become a complete hub combining sports, entertainment, shopping centres, hotels, and residential areas.
The minister expressed confidence in Thailand’s readiness, citing strong service standards, food culture, favourable climate, central location in ASEAN, and coastal access. Such projects would stimulate tourism, attract investors, and support the success of the high-speed rail and U-Tapao airport. Following the announcement, Thai investors have already shown interest in co-investing in a Disneyland project.
Meanwhile, EECO Secretary-General Chula Sukmanop (จุฬา สุขมานพ) said the theme park could be located in EEC Capital City (EECiti), a 2,339-hectare smart city in Chonburi designed as the “capital of the EEC,” where sports and entertainment facilities are planned. Clustering sports, entertainment, and tourism projects in one area would strengthen growth and boost related service industries, supported by future rail and monorail connections.
EN
CN
DE
JP
TH
