The Thai Cinema Experience
Going to a movie while on vacation may seem lathargic, but let me assure you, going to the movies in Thailand is truly a cultural experience and potential glimpse into the glitzy world of luxury hidden behind these developing borders.
On our last night in Thailand, my travelmate, Kelly, and I decided to pay a visit to the new Siam Paragon Shopping Center Cinemaplex. The shopping area is famous for mostly upper-end goods (with some mid-market stores like Mango and Zara), but our true intentions were to investigate rumors we had heard about the movie theatre that had recently opened there. We were already at MBK (another large shopping mall near by, mostly filled with small shops and stalls) and ended up following a girl we met on a 10 minute walk as she led us to the more glamorous section of town.
In Thailand, your movie viewing experience is truly tailored to your budget and expectations. They were showing all of the current movie selections in English (which practically made us drool coming from delayed-Japan). Granted, there is a lot of piracy in Thailand (there were even stands selling fake movies outside the theatre), but maybe this is motivation for Thai Cinema to make the experience itself worth the investment. You see, when you choose a movie and time you are given an option of a) normal, b) super, or c) VIP tickets. The normal is your standard movie seat. The super is a small couch with a coffee table. And VIP? For less than the price of a normal movie ticket in Japan (600 Baht per person, about $17), you are given the star treatment. Once we had purchased our tickets, we were escorted to a private entrence to the VIP section of the theatre. Upon entering the glass doors, we were greeted in the lounge, full with massage chairs, a mini-spa (free massage), a full bar resemebling a Chino Latino (Mpls eats) with draperies and vast chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Very posh. One of the waiters (butlers?) escorted us down the hall to our seats. Ok, upon first inspection, the seats resemble airplane seats. Large, cushy, leather recliners with silk blankets and soft pillows, that you can almost lie flat in. There is a complimentary beverage and cookie service, but popcorn cost us (about $2). I believe there is a full bar and menu available during the show, though. The people behind us drank champagne.
And, yes, this is the norm.
On our last night in Thailand, my travelmate, Kelly, and I decided to pay a visit to the new Siam Paragon Shopping Center Cinemaplex. The shopping area is famous for mostly upper-end goods (with some mid-market stores like Mango and Zara), but our true intentions were to investigate rumors we had heard about the movie theatre that had recently opened there. We were already at MBK (another large shopping mall near by, mostly filled with small shops and stalls) and ended up following a girl we met on a 10 minute walk as she led us to the more glamorous section of town.
In Thailand, your movie viewing experience is truly tailored to your budget and expectations. They were showing all of the current movie selections in English (which practically made us drool coming from delayed-Japan). Granted, there is a lot of piracy in Thailand (there were even stands selling fake movies outside the theatre), but maybe this is motivation for Thai Cinema to make the experience itself worth the investment. You see, when you choose a movie and time you are given an option of a) normal, b) super, or c) VIP tickets. The normal is your standard movie seat. The super is a small couch with a coffee table. And VIP? For less than the price of a normal movie ticket in Japan (600 Baht per person, about $17), you are given the star treatment. Once we had purchased our tickets, we were escorted to a private entrence to the VIP section of the theatre. Upon entering the glass doors, we were greeted in the lounge, full with massage chairs, a mini-spa (free massage), a full bar resemebling a Chino Latino (Mpls eats) with draperies and vast chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Very posh. One of the waiters (butlers?) escorted us down the hall to our seats. Ok, upon first inspection, the seats resemble airplane seats. Large, cushy, leather recliners with silk blankets and soft pillows, that you can almost lie flat in. There is a complimentary beverage and cookie service, but popcorn cost us (about $2). I believe there is a full bar and menu available during the show, though. The people behind us drank champagne.
And, yes, this is the norm.
posted by Brenda Ann Elizabeth McKinney @ 3:28 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home