Imagine swapping your usual tuk-tuk ride in Thailand for a spin on Space Mountain or grabbing a pair of Mickey ears after a day of exploring. Well, that’s the dream currently being floated by Thailand’s government, which has sparked a frenzy of excitement with a bold new proposal to build Southeast Asia’s very first Disneyland to the Land of Smiles. While negotiations are still ongoing, the buzz of the project has gone viral online. And if the project is greenlit, Disney fans in Singapore could soon hop on a quick 2-hour flight to experience the iconic theme park, instead of long haul flights to Tokyo, Paris, or Hong Kong. Here’s what we know about the first potential Disneyland theme park in Thailand.
What’s the master plan for the first Disneyland in Southeast Asia?
The master plan revolves around the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which includes provinces like Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao. A massive plot of land near Bangkok, measuring around 1,500 acres, is the sight the government hope to build the first Disneyland in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the government hope to install a high-speed railway project to connect three major airports in the region and drive up tourist numbers. In turn, this would turn Thailand into a massive entertainment hub rivalling destinations like Singapore.
A Thai Disneyland would tap into a market of more than 600 million people who currently have to fly to Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, California, Florida, and Shanghai to get their fix of Disney magic. Although, the proposal comes with a strict condition of no casinos due to local laws on gambling.
Additionally, the Thai government is ready to purchase a license to operate the theme park themselves if Disney does not want to invest directly. This would be similar to the model used by Tokyo Disneyland—which is owned by a Japanese company rather than Disney.
SEE MORE: Malaysia’s First Barbie Playground Is A Massive Pink Paradise Just 60 Mins Away
SEE MORE: Go On A Cinematic Adventure At This Immersive Universal Studios Dupe In Thailand