Thailand Steps Up Efforts to Attract Disneyland to the Eastern Economic Corridor

BANGKOK – Thailand’s government is pushing for a major theme park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with Disneyland often mentioned as the leading option. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has said several times that Thailand is ready to host a project of this scale, to put the country in the running for Asia’s fifth Disneyland.

The Walt Disney Company currently runs four theme parks in Asia: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan, Hong Kong Disneyland in Hong Kong, and Shanghai Disneyland in China. A park in Thailand would extend Disney’s presence in Southeast Asia, where there is still no official Disney park.

A plan to make the EEC a year-round tourism draw

In recent months, Mr Phiphat has promoted the theme park idea as part of a wider push to turn the EEC into a place people visit in every season. The corridor covers Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao, and also links to nearby provinces. It is already known for industry and large infrastructure schemes, and officials see it as a strong fit for a big tourism project because of its ASEAN location, coastal access, and planned transport connections.

Mr Phiphat has also tied the theme park plan to long-delayed transport projects. These include the high-speed rail line linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, as well as the expansion of U-Tapao airport and the wider Eastern Aviation City project.

In his view, projects of that size need a clear reason for people to travel, and a globally known theme park could help create steady visitor numbers and support new investment. He has pointed to Thailand’s strengths in hospitality, food, and travel access, saying the country is well-placed to welcome large numbers of tourists.

The theme park has been described as a headline project alongside other planned developments. One example is a 240-hectare national sports complex, with an 80,000-seat stadium designed for major football matches, concerts, and international events. Officials have discussed possible park sizes from 960 rai (around 384 acres) for a smaller site, up to 3,000 rai (about 1,200 acres) for a larger version.

The wider development area could reach 5,000 rai (roughly 2,000 acres). One suggested location is the EEC Capital City (EECiti) smart city project in Huay Yai, Chonburi. The concept centres on family-friendly entertainment and does not include casinos, which fits Disney’s long-standing stance against gambling on-site.

Incentives, planning, and early investor interest

The Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) has been asked to study what incentives could attract a global theme park operator. Options under review include tax relief, support with land, upgrades to local infrastructure, and simpler approval steps.

Officials have signalled that the first approach would be to invite The Walt Disney Company to invest directly. If that does not happen, the government may look at securing licensing rights for a Disney-branded park run through another structure.

The idea has already drawn interest from Thai business groups. Mr Phiphat has said local investors have contacted the authorities about a possible joint investment. A financial estimate shared by Longtunman put the project’s value at about 100 billion baht (around US$3 billion). Supporters say the potential gains include new jobs, higher visitor spending, and longer stays in the region.

Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the EECO, has said the planning work is moving forward, with an aim to link the theme park to smart and liveable city plans across the EEC, improving access and day-to-day convenience for visitors and residents.

The hurdles of getting a Disneyland

Backers believe a Disneyland in Thailand could bring in large numbers of family travellers, including visitors from China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. They also say it would broaden Thailand’s tourism offer beyond beaches, temples, and cultural landmarks, while feeding more growth into the EEC, a region that already plays a big part in the national economy.

The pitch also fits Thailand’s push towards higher-value, more sustainable tourism. By focusing on a family theme park, the plan avoids the disputes that have followed earlier ideas linked to casino-style entertainment complexes.

Even so, there are clear obstacles. Disney has been cautious with overseas expansion, and recent attention has been on places such as Abu Dhabi. Observers point out that the company tends to choose markets with strong infrastructure, long-term demand, and clear government support. For now, Thailand’s proposal remains at an early stage, with no confirmed agreement or timeline.

Still, the government’s message is clear. Thailand wants to compete for major entertainment investments, and it sees the Eastern Economic Corridor as the best place to do it. If the plan moves forward, it could reshape tourism along the eastern seaboard and give Thailand a fresh role on the map of global theme park destinations.