BANGKOK: The “Disneyland Thailand” buzz has resurfaced after Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, floated the idea of moving ahead with a world-class theme park project in Chonburi under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.
The concept would take the form of a large mixed-use development, bringing together a theme park, sports centre, entertainment venues and commercial space in a single area.
The preliminary plan would use around 800 hectares, divided into roughly 480 hectares for the theme park, with an investment value of nearly THB200 billion, and another 320 hectares for a sports and entertainment centre valued at more than THB100 billion.
Total project value is estimated at around THB300 billion.
The state would not invest directly, but would instead invite private-sector investment via a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
However, looking back, the “Disneyland Thailand” dream is nothing new.
It is an idea that has been repeatedly revived for more than 26 years, under at least five governments, yet it has never reached the point of a formal contract signing with The Walt Disney Company.
TRACING 25 YEARS ACROSS FIVE GOVERNMENTS: DISNEYLAND AS A 'RECURRING HOPE'
The Thaksin Shinawatra administration (2001–2006)
Reports of efforts to bring Disneyland to Thailand gained traction amid the government’s mega-project era.
Possible locations were discussed, such as Pattaya, Phuket, or areas near Suvarnabhumi Airport. But it remained at the level of “rumour and buzz”, with no official announcement or signing.
The talk later faded, amid concerns over commercial terms and the tight brand-control requirements associated with Disney standards.
The Yingluck Shinawatra administration (2012)
The idea resurfaced again as a private-sector proposal when the Association of Thai Travel Agents urged the state to support a world-class theme park to enhance tourism competitiveness.
At the time, however, the government was dealing with the aftermath of the 2011 floods and political volatility, and the proposal was not advanced into a concrete project.
The Gen Prayut Chan-O-Cha administration (EEC groundwork around 2016–2019)
During the period when the EEC was being laid out, the idea of attracting a global theme park, whether Disneyland or Universal Studios, was included in feasibility-study frameworks to boost tourism and support the high-speed rail project linking three airports.
In practice, investment materialised from other theme-park brands, while Disney did not make a move.
Although the concept has continued to be mentioned from time to time as a “dream project” for the tourism sector and the EEC, there have still been no concrete signs from Disney’s parent company.
As a result, it has remained a policy-level idea rather than a deliverable project.
The Anutin Charnvirakul administration (2025–present)
From late 2024 into 2025, the concept was revived once again.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn provided information on plans to push for a Disneyland project in the EEC, arguing it would increase the value and returns of major infrastructure investment.
He said discussions were underway with the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee on both project studies and licensing approaches, even though, to date, The Walt Disney Company has not issued any official confirmation. - The Nation/ANN
