Thailand’s government is moving forward with a large-scale, casino-free tourism and entertainment complex in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with projected investment of up to THB700 billion ($22.56 billion), as part of efforts to boost economic growth and tourism.
According to a report by local media outlet The Nation, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the EEC board will review the project this week before submitting it to the Cabinet, confirming that no casino component will be included.
Phiphat said the administration led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is targeting gross domestic product (GDP) growth of around 3 percent in 2026, with infrastructure and tourism identified as key drivers. He added that the proposed entertainment complex is designed as a man-made tourism destination capable of attracting up to 40 million visitors annually.
The development is expected to include sports facilities, a major theme park, and large-scale retail areas. Phiphat stressed that “there is absolutely no casino” in the plan, aligning the project with government policy priorities and campaign pledges, including the creation of a world-class theme park.
According to the minister, discussions have already taken place with the EEC secretary-general, the governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The EEC has reserved about 15,000 rai (around 24 million square meters) of land, with roughly 5,000 rai (around 8 million square meters) allocated for sports and theme park facilities. The designated zone will exclude industrial factories but will include supporting infrastructure such as hospitals and medical centers, with the aim of developing a new urban area.
Phiphat said the project could stimulate related investment, particularly in the high-speed rail link connecting three airports and in developments around U-Tapao Airport. He estimated that total investment in the EEC could reach between THB600 billion and THB700 billion ($19.35 billion to $22.56 billion).
This includes about THB300 billion ($9.67 billion) linked to the three-airport high-speed rail project and U-Tapao Airport development, and approximately THB350 billion ($11.28 billion) in sports-related investment. He said the government would move quickly to advance project approvals and implementation.
In a separate briefing earlier last month, Phiphat said that a “Disneyland Thailand”-style development in the EEC is under study as a public–private partnership, supported by the region’s airports, rail networks, ports, and proximity to Bangkok, Pattaya, and Rayong. He added that earlier proposals for casino-based entertainment complexes under previous administrations failed to advance, reinforcing the current government’s casino-free approach.
