Southeast Asia’s First Disneyland Announced in Thailand

Thailand may soon be home to Southeast Asia’s first Disneyland. For travelers planning trips to Thailand in the coming years, the announcement signals a potentially transformative shift in how the country is positioning itself as a global tourism hub.

According to multiple reports, the Thai government is studying the feasibility of developing a Disneyland theme park within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a major development zone east of Bangkok. If realised, the project would become Asia’s fifth Disneyland, joining existing parks in Tokyo (two parks), Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and notably, the first in Southeast Asia.

Quick Facts for Travelers

Category	Latest Update
Status	Feasibility Study / Exploratory Stage
Proposed Region	Eastern Economic Corridor (Chonburi/Pattaya)
Accessibility	Future High-Speed Rail (Est. 2030)
Regional Rank	Would be the 5th Disneyland in Asia (1st in SE Asia)

What exactly has been announced? 

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who also chairs the EEC policy board, has confirmed that the government is actively exploring the idea of bringing a globally recognised theme park, specifically Disneyland, to Thailand. However, there is no confirmed agreement with The Walt Disney Company, no finalised location, and no announced opening timeline.

At this stage, the proposal is part of a broader policy discussion focused on strengthening tourism infrastructure and ensuring the viability of large-scale transport projects, particularly Thailand’s long-delayed high-speed rail link connecting three major airports.

For travelers, the key takeaway is this: Disneyland is not under construction yet, but Thailand is laying the groundwork to attract a project of this scale.

Where would the park be located?

While no specific site has been confirmed, the government has tasked the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO) with identifying suitable land within the EEC provinces.

Studies cited by the transport minister indicate that a Disneyland would require between 144 and 480 hectares of land. Officials have outlined three possible development sizes:

• A smaller park of approximately 960 rai
• A mid-sized option
• A large-scale park of up to 3,000 rai

When combined with surrounding infrastructure and complementary developments, the total footprint could reach around 5,000 rai.

For travelers, this suggests the park, if approved, would not sit in central Bangkok but rather in a purpose-built destination zone, likely closer to U-Tapao Airport near Pattaya, with direct high-speed rail access from Bangkok.

How would travelers get there?

Accessibility is a central pillar of the proposal. The planned high-speed railway would allow passengers to travel seamlessly between Bangkok’s two main airports and U-Tapao Airport, which is being developed alongside an “Eastern Aviation City.”

If completed as envisioned, international visitors could land in Bangkok and reach the EEC region quickly without relying on road transport. This would mark a significant upgrade for travelers familiar with Thailand’s often congested highways.

That said, both the rail project and airport expansion are still works in progress, and, as officials have acknowledged, depend heavily on creating compelling reasons for travelers to use them.

Why this matters for travelers

Even as a proposal, the idea of a Disneyland in Thailand highlights the country’s ambition to move beyond short-haul beach tourism and position itself as a multi-day, multi-attraction destination comparable to Japan or South Korea.

For travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, India, Australia, and beyond, a Southeast Asian Disneyland would significantly reduce travel time compared to existing parks in Japan or China. For those already planning trips to Thailand, future visits could eventually combine cultural travel, beaches, and theme parks in a single itinerary.

Thailand’s central location within ASEAN, strong hospitality reputation, and established tourism infrastructure all strengthen its case. As Minister Phiphat himself noted, the country offers “good service, great food, and a climate that is not too hot or too cold.”

The bottom line

Thailand’s Disneyland proposal is less about instant gratification and more about future-proofing its tourism economy. If realised, it would reshape travel patterns in Southeast Asia and elevate the Eastern Economic Corridor into a major destination in its own right.

For now, it remains an ambitious idea, one that travelers should watch closely, but not yet pack their Mickey ears for.

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