Thailand wants a Disneyland

[Gaybutton]

Thailand vows to host 1st Disneyland in region

by Narumon Kasemsuk

March 27, 2026

The government remains committed to bringing the first Disneyland theme park to Southeast Asia as part of the EEC Capital City project, with potential investors from the Middle East already indicating interest in becoming partners.

Caretaker deputy prime minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said to draw mass traffic to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which should accelerate development of the long-delayed high-speed railway linking three regional airports, mega-projects in the area such as EEC Capital City are necessary.

He said the government recently submitted a letter to the new chief executive of Walt Disney Company to express its intention to persuade the company to explore opportunities in Thailand.

EEC Capital City is in the process of paying land expropriation compensation for a total area of around 15,000 rai. Of the plots available for development, the area prepared for a theme park would be around 2,700 rai, similar in scale to Disneyland Shanghai.

Mr Phiphat said since the government floated the idea of building a Disney park, another global theme park operator with a franchise in Singapore approached the EEC about expanding its business in Thailand.

The government wants to seek discussions with Walt Disney first, as there is not yet a Disneyland in Southeast Asia, he said.

The authorities are not concerned about investment as major investors from the United Arab Emirates are keen to partner in the project, said Mr Phiphat.

"If we succeed in negotiations, Thailand would be the fourth area in Asia to have a Disneyland, following Japan, China and Hong Kong," he said.

Within EEC Capital City, the government also plans to build new sports complexes, including a national indoor stadium with a capacity of 15,000 seats that can be converted for meetings, as well as a water sports complex. The goal is to ease congestion at the densely packed Hua Mak Sports Complex in Bangkok, said Mr Phiphat.

The sports complexes are expected to occupy 2,000 rai, aiming to attract major sporting events and accommodate the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions sector.

"We have not yet finalised the total investment budget, but it would require at least 300 billion baht to develop both the theme park and sports complexes. The EEC must conduct a more detailed study," he said.

"Hopefully we can push the project to completion within our four-year term. Certainly this project would not include a casino."

The concessionaire of the high-speed rail project, Asia Era One led by CP Group, would like to renegotiate its contract with the State Railway of Thailand. Mr Phiphat, who is tipped to extend his role as transport minister, said he opposed changing the contracts signed in 2019.

"As long as I'm still here, there will be no amendments to the contract whatsoever. If I quit, the concessionaire can try to change the terms," he said.

TOURIST TAX A PRIORITY

Mr Phiphat said a key policy the government will push as the first agenda item at a cabinet meeting is the collection of the 300-baht tourist tax.

He said a minor revision is planned, as collection may apply only to air passengers to avoid affecting foreigners who cross land borders on a daily basis for border trade.

Even though tourism sentiment is expected to be affected by the war in the Middle East, Mr Phiphat predicts the levy will not be a deterrence to tourists visiting Thailand.

Regarding the idea of merging the tourism and culture portfolios within one ministry, he said the government expects the process to be completed within the first six months.

Once accomplished, the Culture and Tourism Ministry would handle those two subjects, while sports would be overseen by the Sports and Youth Ministry.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... -in-region

[Dodger]

Thailand is Disneyland.

And this article reads as if they've already hired Mickey Mouse.

[Montree]

Nom would be the first in the queue.