Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are joining forces to welcome the country’s first globally branded themed waterpark, Cartoon Network AMAZONE. The park is now under construction at Bang Saray, just outside Pattaya.
At an event held May 23 at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre, the very highest levels of government showed their support for Cartoon Network AMAZONE. Capt. Anudit Nakhontap, Minister of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), said, “We share the joy of all Thai people that this wonderful new project will not only be a world first for Thailand but it will also provide a new adventure for tourists, both Thai and from overseas.
Soumitra “Sunny” Saha.
“Cartoon Network AMAZONE further reinforces Thailand’s position as the leading tourism destination in the region. It will also be an inspiration for other far-sighted investors to bring similar new projects to our shores, in line with government’s policy to promote tourism.”
Varaporn Choeysa-ard, Executive Director, Investment Services Center, BOI, added, “This is an enormous opportunity for Thailand to lead the world in terms of tourism product and infrastructure, and partner with one of the greatest names in global entertainment.
“The substantial investment in the first phase of Cartoon Network AMAZONE is creating hundreds of jobs and is further cementing Thailand’s standing as a world-class tourism investment destination.”
The new park is scheduled to open in 2013 and is being hailed as a symbol of Thailand’s new generation of tourism destinations, combining international appeal with the country’s natural attractions.
Borisut Prasopzup, TAT’s Eastern Region President, said Cartoon Network AMAZONE will become an instant magnet for international tourists and offer the domestic market a unique new destination. “We are delighted to welcome Cartoon Network AMAZONE to become a headline attraction in Thailand’s already diverse tourism offering,” he said.
“With more than 20 million foreign tourists expected in 2012, we believe the opening of Cartoon Network AMAZONE will further promote the country to international audiences. We will offer our full support to the developers and to Cartoon Network to help with marketing the new themed waterpark and ensure that all of the key target audiences are aware of this excellent new opportunity.”
Cartoon Network AMAZONE takes its theme from the lush Amazon Rainforest while infusing the world’s most popular animated series and cartoon heroes including Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo and The Amazing World of Gumball.
The waterpark will feature exciting signature attractions including a gigantic family wave pool, a winding adventure river, speed-racing slides, family raft rides and one of the world’s largest interactive water-play fortresses for kids.
Sunny Saha, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Entertainment Networks, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific said, “We are extremely grateful to the people and government of Thailand for the tremendous support of this waterpark project. Thailand, as a world-class tourism destination, shares many of the same attributes as Cartoon Network. We both celebrate friendship and family, and both inspire fun and adventure with unique and entertaining experiences. We are very proud to have Thailand as the spectacular background for Cartoon Network AMAZONE.”
The trendsetting waterpark is being developed by Thailand-based attractions developer Amazon Falls Co., Ltd.
Liakat Dhanji, CEO of Amazon Falls Co. Ltd, said, “We are thrilled to have received the unparalleled support of both BOI and TAT and believe their confidence in our project will help to ensure it is a success. Thailand is one of the world’s most compelling tourism destinations and the addition of this new type of resort destination will add a new dimension to the country’s already formidable tourism product offering.”
Cartoon Network AMAZONE’s first phase, which involves an initial investment of over 1 billion baht, is being constructed on a prime site covering 14 acres on the coastal plain at Bang Saray. This beautiful village has for decades been favored by both Thai and international visitors as a preferred holiday destination.
The themed waterpark aims to attract more than 800,000 visitors in its first full year of operation and is part of Chonburi Province’s renewed drive to be the leading tourism destination in Thailand, after Bangkok.
