BANGKOK — Thailand is seeking to attract the first Disneyland theme park in Southeast Asia as part of efforts to boost tourism and support major transport and aviation projects in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor, a senior official said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the government wants to bring Disneyland into the EEC area to serve as a major tourist attraction and help increase passenger numbers for the high-speed rail project linking Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports with U-Tapao airport.
He said the theme park would also support the development of U-Tapao airport and the surrounding aviation city, making the large-scale infrastructure investments more economically viable and helping push the projects forward.
“There is no Disneyland in Southeast Asia,” Phiphat said. “If we can bring it into the EEC, Thailand would be the first country in the region.”
Phiphat said Thailand plans to first invite the Walt Disney Company to invest directly. If Disney chooses not to invest, Thailand could seek to operate the park under a licensing agreement instead.
He said Thailand has advantages over regional competitors such as Singapore, including its geographic location, strong service industry and a climate that is not too hot or too cold for tourists.
“If we can bring Disneyland here, it would become a major draw for foreign visitors and encourage them to stay longer in the area,” he said.