New attraction planned in Thailand

Thailand is considering building a Disneyland-style theme park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The project is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism and transportation infrastructure, and in particular to better utilize the planned high-speed rail network between Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, as reported by the «Bangkok Post».

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the theme park is intended to serve as a year-round visitor attraction. Southeast Asia currently lacks a Disneyland park, giving Thailand the opportunity to take a leading role in the region. While there is already interest from Thai investors, no concrete agreements have yet been reached.

Alongside the theme park, the government is planning other major projects, including an 80,000-seat football stadium, a 30,000-seat multi-purpose arena, and an Olympic swimming center. These facilities could also be used for international congresses, but would hardly attract daily visitors on their own. This is precisely where the idea of ​​a large leisure park comes in.

Different sizes are being considered for the project – from a smaller version of around 1.5 square kilometers to a large park with an area of ​​up to 4.8 square kilometers. Including additional infrastructure, the development area could encompass approximately eight square kilometers, roughly the size of Zurich Airport. It is already clear that, due to the strict regulations of the Disney corporation, no casinos would be permitted in or near the park.

The government initially plans to seek Disney as a direct investor, with the alternative option of acquiring a license. The project remains in an early stage of review.