Thailand is laying the groundwork for what could become the fifth Disneyland in Asia.
The Thai government has reportedly proposed building a Disneyland-style theme park inside the Eastern Economic Corridor, a major development zone east of Bangkok. Officials say the project is intended to draw more international visitors and encourage longer stays.
If it moves forward, the park would join existing Asian Disney resorts in Japan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Thailand would be the first Southeast Asian country to host one.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has repeatedly said the country is ready to attract large global theme park operators. In recent remarks, he tied the proposal to ongoing infrastructure projects in the region, including a high-speed rail line linking Bangkok’s three main airports and the expansion of U-Tapao Airport and the surrounding Eastern Aviation City.
Those projects, he noted, need major tourism anchors to fully justify their scale.
What the Numbers Look Like
The details are still taking shape. Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee has been tasked with studying incentives and feasibility. According to regional reporting, a Disneyland-scale park would require between 144 and 480 hectares of land.
Financial estimates put the project’s value at around 100 billion baht, or roughly 54 trillion Indonesian rupiah.
Word from Thai media suggests the park would likely operate under a licensing model rather than being owned directly by The Walt Disney Company. Under such a structure, a Thai investor would finance and operate the resort, while Disney would license its characters and brand and collect ensuing royalties.
It’s worth noting that Tokyo Disneyland operates under a similar arrangement. Analysts point to the strong performance of Tokyo’s operator, Oriental Land Company, as proof that the model can work at scale. They also say a project of this size would give Thailand a new tourism draw distinct from neighboring countries.
For now, no construction timeline has been announced. The proposal remains in the study phase, with incentives, land use, and investment structure still under review.
Source: Tempo