Thailand has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing in Southeast Asia’s first Disneyland theme park, citing potential investor interest from the Middle East.
Earlier in January, Thai deputy PM and transport minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the government has started identifying a suitable site, and various investment incentives aimed at Disney or another major global entertainment company.
The Thai government has also reportedly submitted a letter to Disney’s new chief executive, expressing its intent to explore investment opportunities in Thailand.
If signed off, the theme park would draw much needed mass traffic and investment to the EEC Capital City project – part of the larger Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) – a high-speed railway linking three regional airports, east of Bangkok.
Currently, the EEC houses beach resorts, an international airport, schools and universities, and extensive leisure and sports facilities, including golf courses and sailing clubs. A national sports complex anchored by an 80,000-seat football stadium is also being built.
However, the EEC has faced a five-and-a-half-year long delay, with the pandemic compounding construction setbacks.
According to Thai reports, the EEC has confirmed renewed progress in the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aerotropolis development projects “without further delays”. Both venues are expected to be completed on schedule, with the U-Tapao Airport kicking off construction soon on 3 April.