Picture courtesy of The Nation

 

The Transport Minister has unveiled proposals for two major “Magnet Projects” in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), outlining plans for a world-class amusement park and a new 80,000-seat national stadium. The developments are designed to boost tourism and investment in the region, particularly to support the financial viability of the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. The announcement signals a significant push to transform the Pattaya-Chonburi area into a regional hub for entertainment, sports and international events.

 

The proposals were detailed by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who has instructed the EEC to accelerate strategies that enhance tourism connectivity and justify major infrastructure spending. Preliminary feasibility studies are already underway for the large-scale projects. Although ambitious, the minister noted that the initiatives are long-term concepts unlikely to be completed during the current government’s term.

 

The first project under review is a world-class amusement park, with Disneyland cited as a potential operator. Initial studies indicate the project would require no more than 3,000 rai, or about 1,185 acres. The park is intended to elevate the EEC’s appeal among families and international tourists, creating a new anchor destination in the region.

 

The second major proposal involves constructing an international-standard national stadium with a capacity of 80,000 seats. The facility would host global sporting competitions and large-scale concerts, helping to ease pressure on venues currently concentrated in Bangkok. The EEC has been tasked with securing sufficient land to support this stadium development.

 

Pipat emphasised that both projects are crucial to ensuring the long-term success of the HSR, which requires strong tourism and events-driven demand to meet passenger targets. He argued that the region must offer compelling attractions, noting the absence of a dedicated Entertainment Complex. “The High-Speed Rail linking the three airports and U-Tapao airport needs to have ‘charm’ to attract more people to travel to the area, especially in terms of tourism and major events,” he said.

 

The Nation reported that officials believe the Magnet Projects will build confidence among private concessionaires by demonstrating the government’s commitment to stimulating economic activity in the corridor. The Transport Ministry and EEC agencies have been directed to urgently develop incentives across Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao to prepare for future implementation phases. While timelines remain uncertain, the government views these proposals as essential to the next stage of national infrastructure and tourism expansion.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand is studying two major EEC projects: a world-class amusement park and an 80,000-seat stadium.

• The initiatives aim to boost tourism and support the High-Speed Rail project linking three airports.

• Feasibility studies are ongoing, with completion expected beyond the current government’s term.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Nation 2025-12-10

 

Nice talks, but it will take years to complete when they start, and nobody knows yet when they will start to built...so this will affect tourism over 10 years maybe..Short term measures would be more profitable.

The whole place is already Disneyland. 😜

sports teams from western countries should play some matches here.

NBA, NFL, Premier League teams 

 

This so called EEC is akin to flogging a dead horse  

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

sports teams from western countries should play some matches here.

NBA, NFL, Premier League teams 

 

To make a High Speed Rail Link viable they would need to play matches to capacity crowds 7 days a week!

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

This so called EEC is akin to flogging a dead horse  

 

They have been trouting out the EEC for about 15 years now, every time a new HUB is needed...

 

Thailand is a big place.....I bet other parts of Thailand would like to have HUB too...

 

But nope, the EEC, which so far has been a failure, needs every HUB under the sun to try and save their precious EEC... 

 

The only thing the EEC is the HUB of now is Bars, Hookers, and Cheap Charley Tourist..

Build the HS rail link 1st which delay after delay, collapses etc & arguments about who owns the land & didn't think of that before building the lines then dream bigger but guessing the powers that be already buying up the land but no complaints or corruption - when it goes pearshaped then legal 

19 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

They have been trouting out the EEC for about 15 years now, every time a new HUB is needed...

 

Thailand is a big place.....I bet other parts of Thailand would like to have HUB too...

 

But nope, the EEC, which so far has been a failure, needs every HUB under the sun to try and save their precious EEC... 

 

The only thing the EEC is the HUB of now is Bars, Hookers, and Cheap Charley Tourist..

 

Really? hundreds of thousands of people work in factories in the eastern part of Thailand.

43 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Really? hundreds of thousands of people work in factories in the eastern part of Thailand.

 

Most of those factories were there before all the EEC rubbish....

 

Their dream EEC factories will be hi-tech automated, smart factories.....

 

And they would be crowing from the rooftops about them if they had ever been built.

Is this another money making scheme? Remember what happened when they built the new airport, Suvarnabhumi?

 

The new 80,000-seat stadium + Disneyland-scale park in the EEC smell exactly like the old BKK airport playbook: massive budget (1.35T baht EEC plan), history of 100–200% overruns, endless contract renegotiation's, land grabs, and kickbacks.

Thailand’s corruption ranking is poor, foreign investors already complain that “no connections = no deal,” and every big Thai megaproject in the last 25 years has gone way over time and budget.

So unless Disney or someone forces real transparency, expect the usual: years late, billions over, and a few politicians mysteriously richer.

 

 

5 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Is this another money making scheme? Remember what happened when they built the new airport, Suvarnabhumi?

 

The new 80,000-seat stadium + Disneyland-scale park in the EEC smell exactly like the old BKK airport playbook: massive budget (1.35T baht EEC plan), history of 100–200% overruns, endless contract renegotiation's, land grabs, and kickbacks.

Thailand’s corruption ranking is poor, foreign investors already complain that “no connections = no deal,” and every big Thai megaproject in the last 25 years has gone way over time and budget.

So unless Disney or someone forces real transparency, expect the usual: years late, billions over, and a few politicians mysteriously richer.

 

 

Thai Megalomania...

Plans,plans thats all they make,but then all plans dissapears in forgetness.

Such nonsense. 

It would be great to see, but unlikely to happen. ☹️

Current acreage of Disney amusement parks ranges from 100 to 25,000 acres,  1,185 acres should accommodate a decent amount of space for a nice amusement park.

Pattaya still hasn't managed to complete it's stadium, 15? years on! It must have generated more than it's share of brown envelopes by now.

Why would this be any different?

1 hour ago, Olof Karlsson said:

Plans,plans thats all they make,but then all plans dissapears in forgetness.

Put it in the same filing cabinet as the F1 project 

 

There are a number of failed stadium projects in Thailand.

40 minutes ago, dlclark97 said:

Current acreage of Disney amusement parks ranges from 100 to 25,000 acres,  1,185 acres should accommodate a decent amount of space for a nice amusement park.

 

25 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

There are a number of failed stadium projects in Thailand.

 

25 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

There are a number of failed stadium projects in Thailand.

I was curious somI took a look as I am familiar with Disney World in Florida 27,258 acres for the four theme parks. Just back from visiting Mercure French Village in the Ba Na Hills of Danang are, Vietnam. Wondering if viable in the mountainous Lanna North.

The EEC in Thailand stands for the Eastern Economic Corridor, a major government project launched in 2017 to transform Thailand's eastern seaboard (Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao) into a high-tech, innovative hub by developing advanced infrastructure, attracting investment in key industries (like smart electronics, aviation, digital), and offering significant tax/non-tax incentives for businesses, positioning it as Asia's premier economic gateway. 

 

...Is That The Best They Could Come Up With... (?)

 

...Sad...

 

...In Fact, I Know Someone Who Proposed A 10-Million Dollar 'Agri Tech' Project Involving State-Of-The-Art Agricultural &  Processing & Extraction Facilities...All Sustainable ...Carbon-Friendly/Compliant... For That Region (& The Other 'Special Economic Zones') Yet After Multiple Attempts To Get The BOI On Board, Has Gotten Nary A Response...

 

...Go Figure... (?)

 

...'While Rome Burns' ...(?)     

...Considering All The Serious, Unaddressed Issues Thailand Is Facing... (?)

...Including A 'Border War'...(?)

 

....Put Up An Amusement Park...And...An Arena...(?)

 

...Sounds Like 'Bread & Circuses'.... (?)

 

On 12/10/2025 at 6:37 AM, daveAustin said:

The whole place is already Disneyland. 😜

Got to agree on that 

23 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

They have been trouting out the EEC for about 15 years now, every time a new HUB is needed...

 

Thailand is a big place.....I bet other parts of Thailand would like to have HUB too...

 

But nope, the EEC, which so far has been a failure, needs every HUB under the sun to try and save their precious EEC... 

 

The only thing the EEC is the HUB of now is Bars, Hookers, and Cheap Charley Tourist..

You left out Indians who donate gold chains to the community 

On 12/10/2025 at 7:24 AM, save the frogs said:

sports teams from western countries should play some matches here.

NBA, NFL, Premier League teams 

 

While that's a great sentiment, I don't think that they consider Thailand to be relevant enough, nor would they get sufficient amounts of local sponsorship. 

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Most of those factories were there before all the EEC rubbish....

 

Their dream EEC factories will be hi-tech automated, smart factories.....

 

And they would be crowing from the rooftops about them if they had ever been built.

 

New factories and business parks being built all the time,how little you know......

On 12/10/2025 at 9:37 AM, daveAustin said:

The whole place is already Disneyland. 😜

I reckon that some of these Thai politicians live in Disneyland. first the formula 1 race , then disneyland , and a  80,000 seat stadium and what's next the  olympic games ??

Must be short of cash the boys needs some large brown envelopes 

On 12/10/2025 at 3:40 AM, Georgealbert said:

The announcement signals a significant push to transform the Pattaya-Chonburi area into a regional hub for entertainment, sports and international events.

All they need now is some foreigners to fund it

On 12/10/2025 at 6:37 AM, daveAustin said:

The whole place is already Disneyland. 😜

Tripping without the acid

On 12/10/2025 at 3:40 AM, Georgealbert said:

Pattaya-Chonburi area into a regional hub for entertainment, sports and international events.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

entertainment - sex tourism

 

sports - spot the ladyboys

 

internationa events - dodging the traffic on pedestrian/zebra crossings