Pan India Paryatan Pvt Ltd (PIPPL), the owner of Mumbai-based EsselWorld, one of India’s largest amusement parks, has shown interest in developing a theme park in Cambodia after a meeting with the minister of tourism late last week.

Minister Thong Khon told the Post yesterday that the Indian company came to research business opportunities in the Kingdom and seek advice for a suitable location for development.

“So far, we recommended that they check for investment possibility in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville,” Khon said.

“We don’t have a big entertainment park in our country. We need large developments because besides temples, we don’t have anything else.”

PIPPL’s visit comes less than a month since Phnom Penh closed down its largest amusement park, Dreamland. Grand Phnom Penh International City Water Park – located 7 kilometres from the city centre – is set to open on April 9.

Khon said the capital in particular needs a world-class theme park, though the Indian firm has yet to reveal any concrete investment plans.

“There are millions of people in Phnom Penh but our children don’t have a proper place for entertainment,” he said.

“We also proposed to them some areas in Phnom Penh as well for their consideration.”