Thailand is exploring the possibility of bringing Southeast Asia’s first Disneyland theme park to the Eastern Economic Corridor as part of a broader effort to boost tourism and support major infrastructure projects.
The government is actively considering attracting a globally recognised theme park brand, specifically Disneyland, to the EEC. Officials see the project as a flagship tourism draw that could help justify long delayed transport investments in the eastern region.
Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also serves as Transport Minister and chairs the EEC policy board, said Thailand is ready to host the region’s first Disneyland. If realised, it would become the fifth Disney park in Asia, following Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland in China.
The proposal is closely tied to ongoing infrastructure plans, including a high speed rail line linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U Tapao airports, as well as the expansion of U Tapao airport near Pattaya and the development of its surrounding aviation city.
Phiphat said these projects “will not happen” without strong new incentives to attract visitors. He added that officials have been tasked with identifying suitable land and preparing incentives for so called magnet projects, such as a major theme park, to increase year round passenger demand and support airport growth.
Studies suggest that a Disneyland scale theme park would require between 144 and 480 hectares of land, equivalent to roughly 960 to 3,000 rai. Phiphat outlined three possible park sizes, ranging from a smaller 960 rai development to a larger complex of about 3,000 rai.
When related facilities are included, the overall footprint could reach up to 5,000 rai, with some estimates placing the total area as high as 800 hectares. Officials see this scale as necessary to ensure the long term economic viability of the new transport links.
The theme park idea is being considered alongside a proposed 240-hectare national sports complex. Plans include an 80,000 seat football stadium, an indoor arena for 30,000 spectators, and an Olympic size swimming pool.
Phiphat said discussions with Sports Authority of Thailand governor Gongsak Yodmani highlighted the need for such venues, which could also host international conferences. However, he noted that sports facilities alone would not generate daily visitor traffic, reinforcing the need for a major theme park to create consistent demand.
Officials from the Eastern Economic Corridor Office are analysing land availability across Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao, while coordinating with other agencies to design investment incentives.
The government plans to first invite The Walt Disney Company to invest directly in the project. If Disney declines, an alternative option would involve purchasing a licence to operate under the Disney brand, similar to the Tokyo Disneyland model, where a local company manages development and operations while Disney retains intellectual property rights and receives royalties.
Phiphat stressed that Disney’s strict rules prohibit casinos within or near its parks, ruling out any casino linked entertainment complex.
Thailand is already known for its cities, beaches, culture, cuisine, and service standards, yet Southeast Asia has never hosted a Disneyland. Officials believe this presents an opportunity to attract high spending family visitors and reduce seasonal fluctuations in tourism.
Recent reports of a decline in international arrivals in 2025 have added urgency to the search for new attractions. The concept has reportedly drawn interest from Thai investors, though no details have been disclosed. Some estimates place potential investment at more than 100 billion baht, rising to around THB 300 billion for larger configurations.
But some local residents remain cautious, recalling previous large scale development proposals that failed to materialise.
The Walt Disney Company has not issued any official response to the proposal.
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