The Thai government is making decisive moves to transform the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) into a global hub for business, tourism, and entertainment with the EEC Capital City (EECiti) project.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, announced after discussions with Chula Sukmanop, Secretary General of the EECO, that the project is advancing under the “Smart & Sustainable LIVE-WORK-PLAY City” concept. This initiative seeks to position Thailand’s East as a world-class center of economic activity and tourism.
As part of its 2026 agenda, the EEC is preparing to implement a public-private partnership (PPP) investment framework. The EEC board is set to meet this month to discuss key components such as amusement parks, sports complexes, and entertainment hubs, with feasibility studies and investor consultations planned to secure backing from top global corporations.
Key infrastructure planning is underway, with the latest meeting focusing on progress in land allocation and essential utilities, particularly water management, one of ten foundational systems for the new city. The development aims to cover over 15,000 rai, establishing EECiti as a World-Class Entertainment & Leisure Hub and a model for future urban projects.
The EECiti master plan targets the development of a world-class amusement park, an international-standard sports complex, and a large-scale exhibition and convention center. Cutting-edge AI technology will be integrated across city operations—from tourism services to energy management—to help achieve Net Zero City standards.
Location is another competitive advantage for EECiti, with the project site only 10 kilometers from the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, and just 15 kilometers from U-Tapao International Airport. This ensures seamless connectivity for both domestic and international visitors.
Notably, Phiphat reaffirmed Thai government support for establishing a Disneyland in the EEC, which would make Thailand the first ASEAN country with such a landmark. While Disneyland comes in three sizes and has restrictions—such as not being near casinos—Thailand plans to seek either direct Disney investment or a licensed development in partnership with private investors, some of whom have already expressed interest.
Other major facilities discussed include an indoor stadium with 80,000 seats, a horse racing track, and a swimming pool, as proposed by the Sports Authority of Thailand, though officials note these alone may not sustain daily tourist inflows.
To maximize tourist appeal, the inclusion of a Disneyland park is strongly emphasized. With more than 10,000 rai of expropriable land available, plans call for reserving about 5,000 rai specifically for sports and entertainment complexes to prepare for major international investments.
