Thailand is pursuing the establishment of Southeast Asia's first Disneyland theme park in its Eastern Economic Corridor, a strategic initiative that Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn believes will transform the region into a major tourism hub while supporting critical infrastructure projects including high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.
The government plans to first invite Disney to invest directly in the project, and if unsuccessful, will pursue purchasing licensing rights to operate the park, with studies indicating the development would require between 144 and 480 hectares of land near a planned national sports complex in Chonburi province, though any development must comply with Disney's strict guidelines prohibiting casinos nearby.
If realized, this would become Asia's fifth Disneyland following two locations in Tokyo and one each in Hong Kong and Shanghai, filling a significant market gap in the ASEAN region where no Disney-branded theme park currently exists, positioning Thailand to capture year-round family tourism and international visitors seeking world-class entertainment experiences.
The Eastern Economic Corridor Office has been tasked with identifying suitable land, with approximately 1,600 hectares of Agricultural Land Reform Office territory near the sports complex considered sufficient for the theme park development, while complementary projects including an 80,000-seat football stadium, 30,000-seat indoor arena, and Olympic-sized swimming pool are planned to create a comprehensive entertainment and sports destination.
Phiphat emphasized Thailand's readiness by highlighting the nation's excellent service standards, renowned cuisine, moderate climate, strategic ASEAN location, and coastal access, with Thai investors already expressing interest in co-investing in the project that officials believe will serve as a magnet attracting tourists and energizing broader economic development including U-Tapao airport expansion and the aviation city concept.
