Before they get too carried away, maybe check in with Disney…

People in USA complain about their Disneyland due to high prices. Once again here they only think about facilities which will cater for themselves such as Casino, F1 and now this.

8 hours ago, kwan said:

Disneyland already here - it's called Pattaya !

Probably considerably less paedos in Pattaya 😉

On 1/9/2026 at 9:53 AM, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

Thailand's government is considering establishing a Disneyland theme park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as a key project to elevate tourism and improve transportation infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, indicated that this endeavor would serve as a major tourism attraction, bolstering passenger numbers for the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-tapao airports. This move also aims to support the delayed development of U-tapao airport and its adjacent aviation city.

The initiative has already sparked interest among Thai investors, although specific details are currently under wraps. Previous conversations with Sports Authority of Thailand governor, Gongsak Yodmani, underscored the need for extensive sports facilities, including an 80,000-seat football stadium and a large indoor arena. Despite the substantial investment in these venues, Phiphat recognized they would not be sufficient to attract a steady stream of daily visitors.

To counter this, the government is exploring a major theme park addition, with proposed sizes ranging from 960 to 3,000 rai, amounting to a total development area of approximately 5,000 rai. Phiphat emphasized the unique opportunity for Thailand to host Southeast Asia's first Disneyland, which could establish the nation as a regional tourism leader. Additionally, Disney's strict policies against casinos eliminate any plans for casino-linked entertainment in the vicinity of the park.

Phiphat mentioned the government's dual approach to bringing Disneyland to Thailand: either through direct investment by Disney or acquiring a licence to operate the park independently. The concept is part of broader efforts to create a tourism magnet that integrates with and enhances the surrounding infrastructure, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand proposes Disneyland in EEC to boost tourism and transport.

• The theme park would complement sports venues and attract daily visitors.

• Disney’s criteria forbid casinos near the potential park location.

Related stories

Minister Pitches Disneyland-Scale Park & 80,000-Seat Stadium

Government Considers Disneyland-Style Attraction

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-09

 

 

On 1/9/2026 at 9:53 AM, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

Thailand's government is considering establishing a Disneyland theme park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as a key project to elevate tourism and improve transportation infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, indicated that this endeavor would serve as a major tourism attraction, bolstering passenger numbers for the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-tapao airports. This move also aims to support the delayed development of U-tapao airport and its adjacent aviation city.

The initiative has already sparked interest among Thai investors, although specific details are currently under wraps. Previous conversations with Sports Authority of Thailand governor, Gongsak Yodmani, underscored the need for extensive sports facilities, including an 80,000-seat football stadium and a large indoor arena. Despite the substantial investment in these venues, Phiphat recognized they would not be sufficient to attract a steady stream of daily visitors.

To counter this, the government is exploring a major theme park addition, with proposed sizes ranging from 960 to 3,000 rai, amounting to a total development area of approximately 5,000 rai. Phiphat emphasized the unique opportunity for Thailand to host Southeast Asia's first Disneyland, which could establish the nation as a regional tourism leader. Additionally, Disney's strict policies against casinos eliminate any plans for casino-linked entertainment in the vicinity of the park.

Phiphat mentioned the government's dual approach to bringing Disneyland to Thailand: either through direct investment by Disney or acquiring a licence to operate the park independently. The concept is part of broader efforts to create a tourism magnet that integrates with and enhances the surrounding infrastructure, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand proposes Disneyland in EEC to boost tourism and transport.

• The theme park would complement sports venues and attract daily visitors.

• Disney’s criteria forbid casinos near the potential park location.

Related stories

Minister Pitches Disneyland-Scale Park & 80,000-Seat Stadium

Government Considers Disneyland-Style Attraction

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-09

 

 

Surely it isn't down to the government to make this decision, Disney keep a very tight control on every aspect of their business and there is no way Thailand can go ahead and build one of their own!!

On 1/9/2026 at 4:53 PM, snoop1130 said:

Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

Another perspective. It's a political initiative.

EEC was created by the NCPO Military Junta by General/PM Prayut after the 2014 coup through its absolute power. Such acts were automatically non-reviewable and legal under the constitution written by the NCPO.

- Ever since it appears that the "shadow government" (military) has been trying to create seemingly a perpetual money machine by establishing a high-income, technology-driven economy such as aerospace and manufacturing industries that would be exempt from any environmental impact studies and lawsuits.

-The result has been significantly damaging the water supply for the pre-existing low-income agricultural industry.

-The cities and local communities in the area objected to the EEC, perhaps due to their pro-democracy, anti-dictatorship, and anti-military politics. Thus, the EEC may have been intended in part to politically infiltrate the region (albeit to this day EEC industries remain short of technically-trained Thai people while attracting foreign specialists) while enriching EEC creators.

How could Disneyland Thai style compete and show a profit when the greatest show in the land is in session.

Dinosaur politicians gathering to feed at the trough would be by far more interesting to watch, followed by an afternoon of backstabbing and looting what's left in the coffers

On 1/10/2026 at 6:05 AM, ikke1959 said:

It has to be built and it will take many years to take the decision first, and than building according to the standards that Disney has. Her in Thailand all will take a few decades, and nobody can see the future, but I am wondering if Thailand is still attractive for tourists at that time. If the country goes on like this and stay conservative, political unstable, and double pricing and outdated laws, bad air quality and too expensive, it is going to fail.

The whole place is Disney land with Dizzy shops on every corner, and clowns in the streets of Pattaya and Phuket

On 1/9/2026 at 5:53 PM, snoop1130 said:

Additionally, Disney's strict policies against casinos eliminate any plans for casino-linked entertainment in the vicinity of the park.

Really? Due to Disney's strict policies? Not due to the fact that casinos are ILLEGAL in Thailand!?

On 1/10/2026 at 7:34 AM, JoePai said:

bolstering passenger numbers for the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-tapao airports

🤣🤣🤣

Me, I'm on a ship, so arriving via the newly opened Isthmus of Kra canal. Initiative started in 1677, so well within the timescales of completion for Mickey's Thai Kingdom.

Will not happen.

They barely even agreed to do a water park in Abu Dhabi, and that was with Abu Dhabi paying for it, and licensing from Disney.

You need a strong local market, not solely reliant on tourism.

On 1/10/2026 at 6:05 AM, ikke1959 said:

It has to be built and it will take many years to take the decision first, and than building according to the standards that Disney has. Her in Thailand all will take a few decades, and nobody can see the future, but I am wondering if Thailand is still attractive for tourists at that time. If the country goes on like this and stay conservative, political unstable, and double pricing and outdated laws, bad air quality and too expensive, it is going to fail.

I hope it does stay conservative.

It is not politically unstable as far as tourists go, they come for a week or too, enjoy the cheap hotels, food and everything else compared to back home, the ones who are worried about a few pennies will go to Vietnam as usual.

Tourists do not care about a few quid extra costs at the attractions, still dirt cheap for them.

I hope double pricing etc does go on so the moaning long term visitors (so called expats who think they own the country) who moan at anything on this blog when it related to Thailand will sod off somewhere else and leave the rest of us in peace.

Thailand, especially Phuket in my opinion is great and still cheap with for those of us with a Western income.

6 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I hope it does stay conservative.

It is not politically unstable as far as tourists go, they come for a week or too, enjoy the cheap hotels, food and everything else compared to back home, the ones who are worried about a few pennies will go to Vietnam as usual.

Tourists do not care about a few quid extra costs at the attractions, still dirt cheap for them.

I hope double pricing etc does go on so the moaning long term visitors (so called expats who think they own the country) who moan at anything on this blog when it related to Thailand will sod off somewhere else and leave the rest of us in peace.

Thailand, especially Phuket in my opinion is great and still cheap with for those of us with a Western income.

What did you use? it makes no sense at all.. the too expensive THB costs money as foreigners get less THB for their money, double pricing is in fact discrimination, and cheap is Thailand not anymore surely not in Phuket... Glad you don't care about anything..

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, indicated that this endeavor would serve as a major tourism attraction

Somewhere else for the girls to ply their trade.....