Thailand plans to establish Disneyland to attract more tourists

The Thai government is considering establishing a Disneyland theme park in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as part of a broader plan to strengthen tourism and transport infrastructure, according to a report by Bangkok Post. The proposal aims to serve as a major attraction that can drive passenger traffic for the high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, while also supporting the development of U-Tapao airport and the surrounding aviation city.

Tourism Magnet and Infrastructure Boost

Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also serves as Transport Minister and chairs the EEC policy board, said the concept is intended to create a strong tourism magnet that draws visitors year-round. “Southeast Asia currently has no Disneyland, so Thailand can become the first in the region,” he said, as reported by Bangkok Post. The idea has already generated interest from Thai investors, though specific details remain undisclosed.

The project is being planned alongside other major infrastructure developments. Mr. Phiphat highlighted the need for a world-class football stadium with 80,000 seats, an indoor arena for 30,000 spectators, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. These venues, requiring about 1,500 rai of land, could also host international conferences. However, he noted that sports facilities alone would not attract daily visitors, underscoring the importance of a theme park as the main draw.

Park size and investment plans

Officials have outlined three possible park sizes, ranging from 960 rai for a small park to 3,000 rai for a large park, bringing the total potential development area to roughly 5,000 rai. Disney’s strict rules prohibit casinos within or near its parks, ruling out any casino-linked entertainment in the project.

“We will first invite Disney to invest directly, but if it does not do so, a licence could be purchased to operate the project instead,” Mr. Phiphat said. The government sees the development as a long-term strategy to strengthen tourism, support regional economic growth, and position Thailand as a leading destination for visitors in Southeast Asia.

The plan is still in its exploratory stage, with discussions ongoing between government officials and potential investors. No formal agreements have yet been made.