Thai Disneyland proposal gets cold response from incentive planners

The bold move is the brainchild of Thailand's richest man, liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who has set aside 1,600 hectares of land and sought investors for the project. Responses from DMCs contacted by CEI Asia Pacific ranged from "a terrible idea" to "if they want to do it, can't it be somewhere else like Pattaya?" Many feel it will downgrade the destination, known for its five-star hotels, palaces and royal residences. Others fear the project will be similar to Hong Kong Disneyland, which is still in the process of establishing relationships with business events planners. "Whether it is in Hua Hin or somewhere else, the investment is not the unique selling point for MICE in Thailand," said Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau incentive and meeting director, Malinee Kitaphanich. She added: "It could be good for domestic MICE, but probably not for international MICE business. "The capacity of a theme park to deliver is uncertain in terms of quality and DMCs may face the same challenges in Disneyland Thailand as they do with Phuket Fantasia."