Deputy PM says Disneyland Thailand is real, not a dream

2026-01-27 - 09:09

BANGKOK — Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said Thailand has the capacity to develop a Disneyland-scale project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), insisting the plan is feasible and not a “pipe dream”. Phiphat, who oversees the EEC, was responding to scepticism over proposals to bring a Disneyland project to Thailand as part of the corridor’s development strategy. He said the country has sufficient potential to host a world-class theme park and stressed the project would go beyond a single attraction. Under the plan, the development would also include a large concert hall and a world-standard sports stadium with a capacity of at least 80,000 seats to host major international concerts, sporting events and large-scale festivals. He said the project would not include a casino. Phiphat said relevant EEC agencies have begun preliminary studies, with the investment model expected to follow a public–private partnership (PPP) structure, combining global private-sector expertise, technology and capital with careful state oversight. He said the EEC was chosen due to its strong infrastructure base, including international airports, rail networks, high-speed rail links, deep-sea ports and connectivity to major tourism hubs such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Rayong. According to Phiphat, Disneyland Thailand would be positioned as a global entertainment and lifestyle hub rather than just a theme park, creating spillover benefits including job creation, higher-quality tourism and increased per-capita spending. He said the project would also provide a platform for Thai talent in the creative and event industries. The development is aimed at positioning Thailand as a new destination for music and sports tourism, capable of attracting global artists, sports fans and younger travellers throughout the year. “Disneyland Thailand in the EEC is not just about fun. It is an opportunity to upgrade Thailand’s creative and tourism industries and move the country towards becoming a regional hub for world-class events in Southeast Asia,” Phiphat said. He added that the key question was not whether the project could be done, but who would see it through to completion, arguing that continuity was essential for large-scale global projects.