Thailand eyes Disneyland as anchor for Eastern Economic Corridor

Pattaya region to be the location of a future Disneyland Park

According to Ratchakitprakarn, a theme park could be a key attraction encouraging both domestic and international travelers to visit the EEC area throughout the year. Any such investment, he stressed, should involve a globally recognized brand. He has proposed that the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) drives negotiations to secure rights for a Disneyland development, noting that the company currently has no presence in Southeast Asia. Winning such rights, he argued, could significantly strengthen Thailand’s tourism appeal.

Studies suggest a Disneyland-scale project would require between 144 and 480 hectares, according to Ratchakitprakarn. The EECO has therefore been tasked with identifying additional land within EEC provinces to support a development of that size.

A first choice would be to develop the land next to a future 240-hectare national sports complex—featuring an 80,000-seat, world-class football stadium to host international sporting and entertainment events. Authorities are considering expropriating up to 1,600 hectares in total—more than enough to accommodate a major theme park, he said.

Ratchakitprakarn added that the EECO has been instructed to identify additional land for so-called “magnet projects.” The aim, he said, is to create a fully integrated hub combining a global sports venue, shopping centers, hotels and a new residential city. Casinos and gambling venues would be fully excluded according to the current Transport Minister.

“Thailand is ready for an investment like Disneyland,” he stressed. “We have strong service standards, excellent food, and a climate that’s neither too hot nor too cold. We’re at the heart of ASEAN and close to the sea, which supports travel.”

The issue remains reliable public transportation

However, there is a major deterring factor: access. Even Ratchakitprakarn recognized that Thailand incapacity to develop the much-touted high-speed rail line linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports, as well as Pattaya city could deter investors except if new incentives are to be introduced.

He said the Office of the EECO must then urgently design incentive packages that draw people and investment into the area. Without stronger demand drivers, he noted, private operators see little commercial justification for accelerating construction of large-scale transport projects.

However, to know that Disneyland could potentially settle in the area would turn into a major draw that could justify and energize the high-speed rail project and the also stalled development of U-Tapao airport. Ratchakitprakarn told that, following the announcement, Thai investors have already approached authorities about potential co-investment opportunities.

Separately, Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EECO, told Bangkokbiznews that the proposed theme park should be located within the EEC Capital City (EECiti), in Huay Yai sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. The future urban area would be linked by monorail to the planned high-speed rail station in Pattaya.