Sony's Aquaverse to delay Thailand opening over tourism uncertainty

Theme park based on Columbia Pictures films faces headwinds from Ukraine, COVID

The pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine were cited as factors delaying the opening of the Aquaverse water park for a second time. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment)

MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

March 11, 2022 01:52 JST

BANGKOK -- With a flare-up of COVID-19 cases and Russia's invasion of Ukraine clouding the outlook for tourism, a new water park in Thailand based on Columbia Pictures films expects to reschedule its opening planned for April.

This would mark the latest delay for Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, located near Pattaya outside of Bangkok, which was initially slated to open its doors in October. The debut was postponed to April 8 in response to Thailand's coronavirus restrictions.