Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has said a proposed “Disneyland Thailand” project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is feasible and is already under study as a large-scale public–private partnership (PPP), according to local media outlet The Nation.
The project is being positioned as a flagship tourism and entertainment development aimed at supporting the country’s post-COVID tourism recovery, without the inclusion of a casino.
Phiphat, also the Transport Minister and overseer of the EEC was responding to questions about whether a Disneyland-style development could realistically be delivered in Thailand. He said preliminary assessments indicate the project could move forward under a PPP model that combines state oversight with private-sector expertise, technology, and capital.
According to the official, the proposal would extend well beyond a conventional theme park. Plans under consideration include a concert hall and a world-class stadium with a seating capacity of at least 80,000, designed to host international sports competitions, global concerts, and other large-scale events. He emphasized that the concept does not require a casino component.
The choice of the EEC reflects its existing infrastructure readiness, Phiphat said. The area is supported by international airports, rail networks and planned high-speed rail links, deep-sea ports, and proximity to major tourism destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Rayong. These factors, he noted, make the corridor suitable for a complex, multi-venue development intended to attract both domestic and international visitors.
The EEC has previously been mentioned as a potential location for entertainment complexes featuring casino developments. Under a former Thai government led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, discussions around possible casino resort locations included five sites nationwide: two in Bangkok, and one each in the EEC, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Those discussions were linked to efforts by the previous administration to push forward gambling legislation, which ultimately failed to pass.
