Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, also Transport Minister and chairman of the EEC policy board, said on Thursday (Jan 8) that the idea was intended to create a powerful tourism magnet that would help increase passenger numbers for the high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports, as well as support the long-delayed development of the latter airport and the surrounding aviation city.
He said the concept had already generated interest from Thai investors, though details cannot yet be disclosed, reports the Bangkok Post.
He said earlier discussions with Sports Authority of Thailand governor, Gongsak Yodmani, highlighted the country’s need for a world-class football stadium with 80,000 seats, an indoor arena for 30,000 spectators and a standard Olympic-size swimming pool.
The facilities, requiring about 1,500 rai in total, could also be adapted to host international conferences. However, he noted that sports venues alone would not attract daily visitors.
To address this, Mr Phiphat proposed adding a major theme park, which would draw tourists every day. He outlined three possible park sizes, ranging from about 960 rai for a small park to 3,000 rai for a large one, with a combined development footprint of roughly 5,000 rai.
“Southeast Asia currently has no Disneyland, so Thailand can become the first in the region,” he said.
Mr Phiphat stressed that Disney’s strict rules prohibit casinos within or near its parks, ruling out any casino-linked entertainment complex.
“We will first invite Disney to invest directly, but if it does not do so, a licence could be purchased to operate the project instead,” he said.