Bangkok Movie Theater

I like movies. I don't see a lot of movies, but I manage to get out to the theater to watch big screen movies whenever something appeals to me. I get the impression that Hollywood doesn't really want me to go to the movies, though. The ticket price is on the expensive side, the concession stand snacks are outrageously expensive, the seats are mostly adequate and finally, we are subjected to at least half a dozen commercials (which we've already seen on TV) before we even see the previews. While I appreciate the effort of using the Imax screens for blockbuster films, that is as innovative as they get ... at least in North America.

Going to the movies in Bangkok can be a wondrous experience. The past several years have seen the introduction of some impressive movie theaters in the city. Going to a movie in one of the high-end malls is a real experience. The lobby, for starters, is a great place to explore. In addition to the numerous screens showing previews of current films and coming events, various merchants from the mall and brand vendors have booths set up with special discounts and promotions. Show your ticket to a particular movie, for example, and you get a chance to win an instant prize or a discount to something related to the film.

In addition to drawing the entertainment seeking crowd for movies, the theaters have figured out that their venues can be used for other media events as well. While American theaters nobly experimented with such things as live broadcasts of opera and wrestling, in Bangkok the theaters use their spacious lobbies to host media events. One evening I witnessed the tail end of a presentation that included a number of Thai celebrities.

Walking up to what I thought was an information booth, in one establishment, turned out to be a concierge booth. I wasn't quite sure what their role was, but the fact that they had one implied that this theater is actually thinking about how to serve their customers, not just get money from them. There are typically two different lines to get a ticket. The regular line is manned by three or four ticket sellers while a red carpet line is dedicated to frequent movie-goes holding a special pass. Buying a ticket is not a simple matter of handing over your money and getting a receipt. The ticket seller uses a screen to show you a schematic of the theater so you can pick out the seat you want! No more rushing to find a good seat. You can take your time - which means you'll probably visit the concession stand.

Now, the snacks might be my only complaint about the Bangkok movie-going experience because Thais are not into popcorn quite as much as North Americans (which is probably a good thing). However, if you get to the cinema early enough, you can enjoy a quick meal at the restaurant inside the complex. The restaurant is not a last minute idea, but a tasteful, modern design.

The very best part of the experience is the fact that you have more choice when going to the movies. The regular theater has comfortable seats, but spend a few bucks more and you have an option to choose from a limited number of reclining seats, complete with leg rest, or even a love seat. It gets better. You have the option of picking a premium theater.

Instead of waiting in the regular lobby, there is a plush waiting room at the entrance of each of the movies for the premium ticket holders. Some even provide a complimentary beverage and snack. When the theater has been cleaned from the previous showing, an attendant ushers everyone inside at a leisurely pace.

If the lobbies are not incentive enough, these premium theaters have even more seating options. Rather than a reclining chair, you have the option of a reclining love seat (red), a cushioned day bed that holds up to four people (gray), or even bean bag chairs! Each option, of course, has a separate price.

No sticky cement floors in this place, they actually go out of their way to lay a very artistic carpet. Need a drink refill while watching the film? Just get the attention of the attendant and someone will run out to the concession stand so you don't have to miss a thing.

While the audience is still subjected to two or three commercials before the film, they're not the typical TV commercials. They're designed for the big screen and are usually entertaining even without understanding the language.

While Hollywood demands that we hand over money for the privilege of watching whatever they've churned out lately, the Bangkok establishments recognize that going to the movies is a social event and have worked hard to make that experience a pleasant one ... regardless of the quality of the film.

See larger versions of the images here.

Arriving in Bangkok

Flying is more an adventure now than it really should be. Going through the security line at 6AM on Christmas morning, I had a feeling I would have to have to tolerate some shenanigans from the staff because my camera bag consisted of a sort of utility belt. The design removes the weight from my shoulders and distributes the weight to my hips, much like a fanny pack. My other carry-on bag was a small cotton tote with my MP3 player and a few books. Sure enough, security claimed that I had too many bags and would have to check-in the "bags" attached to the belt. Thinking ahead, I put a large plastic bag in my tote. I pulled off the belt, dropped in the bag and, as far as security was concerned, I was no longer a threat to the flying public.

The initial leg of the flight was uneventful. I had an eight-hour stopover in Los Angeles. The original plan had me renting a car for the day and driving out to Hollywood, but the rain and cool weather put a damper on that idea so I crashed in the lounge for the day. Not the most productive use of my time, but I was on vacation. After a few hours, I discovered that the lounge had shower facilities; something I greatly appreciated given the long flight to Thailand I'd soon be experiencing.

Whether stepping down the stairs of a small plane or entering the skyway from a jumbo jet, your first impression of a tropical land comes through your nose. While I can not describe it, the smell of Thailand is distinct and the memories of previous trips returned as I made my way though the delightfully modern airport. After clearing customs, I ran the gauntlet of taxi drivers touting overpriced rides into the city and bought my 150THB bus ticket.

Although I had to check in early in the morning, my favorite hotel, the Bangkok JW Marriott, was able to get me into my room right away. I had mixed feeling about the room. It was gorgeous, but a bit small. It also had the typical hard mattress so favored by the Thais. I planned to do some serious sleeping in.

The biggest disappointment was the fact the hotel was doing some renovations and decided the holiday season was the best time to make it happen. The gym, one of my favorites, had been temporarily moved to allow for the installation of new flooring and the executive lounge, my very favorite was closed completely. On the plus side, the closing of the lounge enabled me to eat breakfast in the main restaurant. On the plus-plus side, Chef Dieter was back in Bangkok and in charge of the restaurant.

The Bangkok JW Marriott had my favorite brunch in the world. It was resplendent in every imaginable breakfast dish to accommodate the many nationalities the hotel hosts. Two years ago I stayed at the Jakarta Marriott as was blown away by the quality of the food and service there. I met a chef in the elevator and told him what I thought of the Bangkok Marriott and how impressed I was with his kitchen staff and their work. It turned out that he was the chef that ran the Bangkok Marriott and was now working the Jakarta property! This explained everything. I was delighted to see that he was back in Thailand, but unfortunately he was on holiday during Christmas and New Year.

One evening I got a message that the executive lounge renovation was complete and I was invited to come for breakfast in the morning. It was well worth the wait as the new look of the lounge is simply delightful and the staff were very happy to pose in their updated work space.