- Thailand plans to build Asia's fifth Disneyland in its Eastern Economic Corridor to boost tourism
- The park would be Southeast Asia's first Disneyland, enhancing regional tourism infrastructure
- The project supports major transport links, including a high-speed rail connecting key airports
Thailand is considering bringing a Disneyland theme park to its Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to boost tourism and support major transport projects. If the plan moves forward, Thailand could become home to Asia's fifth Disneyland, and the first in Southeast Asia. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen tourism infrastructure and improve travel connectivity, reported the Bangkok Post.
Disneyland, the globally renowned theme park brand owned by The Walt Disney Company, already has several locations worldwide, including four in Asia: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan, Hong Kong Disneyland in Hong Kong, and Shanghai Disneyland in China. Adding Thailand to this list would mark a significant expansion of the brand within the region.
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Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also serves as Transport Minister and chairman of the EEC policy board, said the concept is being considered as a flagship attraction aimed at boosting visitor numbers and supporting long-term transport projects. According to him, a Disneyland in the EEC could help increase passenger traffic for the planned high-speed rail link connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports, while also helping revive the long-delayed development of U-tapao Airport and the surrounding aviation city.
The proposal has already sparked interest among Thai investors, although specific details remain undisclosed at this stage, reported the Bangkok Post. Mr Phiphat said a major theme park would have the potential to draw tourists daily, helping to stabilise arrivals throughout the year. He outlined three possible park sizes, ranging from about 960 rai for a smaller development to approximately 3,000 rai for a large-scale park, with a combined development footprint estimated at around 5,000 rai.
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Highlighting Thailand's regional opportunity, Mr Phiphat noted that Southeast Asia currently does not have a Disneyland, giving Thailand the chance to become the first in the region to host the iconic brand. Disney's strict rules prohibit casinos within or near its theme parks, effectively ruling out any casino-linked entertainment complexes as part of the project.
In terms of investment structure, the transport minister said the government would first invite Disney to invest directly in the project. If that approach does not succeed, an alternative option would be to purchase a licence to operate the theme park locally. While the project remains in the exploratory stage, the proposal signals Thailand's ambition to create a major new tourism anchor aligned with future transport connectivity.
