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The Best Cinemas in Bangkok

Netflix may have had a good go at reducing the number of cinema-goers in recent times, yet catching a movie at a top Bangkok cinema complex is still a much-enjoyed form of entertainment.

An experience that can be enjoyed either individually or by couples and families – going to the cinema is almost a fine art in Thailand’s capital city, where some of the film venues and movie theatres are on a different level to anything you may have previously experienced.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Bangkok is undoubtedly home to the biggest and best (not to mention ‘hi-so’) cinemas in Thailand, and is obviously the hub of the country’s sleek and modern cineplexes. These vast complexes also contain restaurants, bowling alleys, and other features of entertainment or leisure, which make them common targets for couples, friends, and families alike.

If not housed inside one of these neon-lit cinema complexes, the majority of movie theatres in Bangkok are located in shopping malls (of which there are vast numbers), with most of the big screens being owned by the Major Cineplex Company.

Going to the cinema in Bangkok can be even more fun if it’s at one of the growing number of VIP or first class theatres such as some of those featured within this guide. You might find that Bangkok is, in fact, home to some of the world’s most luxurious cinemas. And you may even have been wondering what it is exactly that qualifies such cinemas as luxurious – does it justify the ticket prices, for instance.

Catching a flick in Bangkok promises an experience like no other in many cases. In some of these places you can expect anything from personal waiters, private lounges, sofa-type seating, and even champagne and supreme privacy in some of the VIP options!

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

So including some of the most luxurious, along with the tried-and-tested, here are some of the best cinemas worth visiting in Bangkok, in no particular order!

 1. Paragon Cineplex  

This Cineplex is, as its name suggests, situated on the 5th floor of the ‘mother of all shopping centres’ in Thailand (maybe in terms of considered importance as the place to be seen in) —  Siam Paragon.

The Paragon complex itself is something of an institution for many a young couple as well as families.                                                                  

In the multi-screen complex that is the Paragon Cinemaplex, you can experience a superior cinema with 16 world-class screens, some of which are luxurious beyond imagination – there are just 9 standard theatres in all.

Image by Curtis Winston sourced from wikimedia commons

In terms of the more high-end Bangkok cinemas, the ‘Enigma Theatre’ in the Paragon Cineplex is one of the most expensive. The décor and style says it all, let alone the ambience – elite, upmarket, and glossy.

This is where you can take in one of Hollywood’s latest on one of the 30-odd reclining sofa beds, and complimentary aperitifs and tasty appetizers will be served upon request.

Price: 3,500B/ Couple
Location: Siam Paragon | Siam BTS

Image by Curtis Winston sourced from wikimedia commons

For another angle on comfort viewing at the Paragon Cineplex check out Bangkok Airways’ Blue Ribbon Screens.

Here the adjustable, reclining armchairs can be lowered until horizontal, and are supplied with pillows and blankets just in case you decide to do just that. We did say that cinema-going was like a fine art in Bangkok!

It might be even more comfortable here than when you are tucked up in bed at home!

Price: 1,100B/ Person or 2,000B/ Couple
Location: Siam Paragon, 991 Rama 1 Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

WEBSITE: www.majorcineplex.com

BTS: Siam

2. Central Embassy Diplomat Screen

Image by wpcpey sourced from wikimedia commons

At the grand opening of Central Embassy Mall six years ago, the luxurious multiplex concept in Bangkok took a major step forward in the world of Thai shopping mall culture.

Actually situated on the sight of the former British Embassy, the cinema and its various screens – in particular the ‘Embassy Diplomat’ — are undoubtedly some of the most hi-so cinemas you are likely to encounter in Bangkok (or anywhere!).

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You won’t encounter any queuing for tickets here, as there staff designated to tend to your viewing requirements and take your “movie order”.

The Central Embassy screens like this one are much more intimate than regular cinemas. There are only 5 actual theatres, each containing around 30 seats, and facilitating the feeling of flying first class.

More lush pillows and blankets are on offer here, along with a drinks minibar, mini lights, phone charger outlets, and a concierge button to order any required food and drinks. There is even a ‘wine cellar’ on the menu at Central Embassy Cineplex.

Price: 900-1,200B/Person
Location: Central Embassy, Executive Cinema, 6^th floor, 1031 Phloen Chit Road, Pathum Wan district, Bangkok 10330

BTS: Phloen Chit BTS

3. Esplanade

The Esplanade BSC Diamond Screen is another luxury movie theatre located a little further away from the city centre of Paragon regions.

Image by photoexpozer sourced from wikimedia commons

Again luxurious and intimate in its approach, the Esplanade cinema contains just 2 VIP theatres with 30 seats each.

Somewhat easier to get to at peak times than somewhere like Paragon, the esplanade Cineplex is a local favourite for couples. True to the style that has come to be expected from establishments such as this, complimentary snacks, drinks and even a foot massage are on offer.

Price: 700-800B/ Person
Location: The Esplanade Mall, 99 Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400

MRT: Thailand Cultural Centre  

WEBSITE:

4. Major Cineplex Ratchayothin

Major has long been one of the biggest names associated with the movie experience in Thailand, and actually owns the majority of cinemas within this guide, as can be seen from the accompanying website details.

Image by Curtis Winston sourced from wikimedia commons

Major Cineplex at Ratchayothin is a prime example of a huge Cineplex with a range of cinema systems such as Digital, IMAX, or AIS 4DX. The Cineplex at Ratchayothin is now surrounded by ‘community mall’ Major Avenue, a reasonably hi-so restaurant and shopping centre which features a huge night market on some evenings.

This particular Major venue has seen much refurbishment over the years, including the addition of Avenue Mall, and it now has a very modern feel to it, including an easy-to-use E-ticket purchase system. There is still plenty of staff on hand as well though, as well as all the standard cinema fare like popcorn and surrounding restaurants.

Image by Curtis Winston sourced from wikimedia commons

ADDRESS: Major Ratchayothin, Ratchayothin, 1839 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak, 10900

WEBSITE: www.majorcineplex.com

5. AEON Theatre, Quartier Cine-Art at Emquartier

Within the depths (on the 4^th floor) of the massive, luxurious, city-centre shopping oasis ‘Emquartier’, is ‘Quartier Cine-Art’. This is the place where you may encounter a new entertainment experience entirely, in a complex that has been dubbed ‘the future of Cinema in Thailand’.

Image sourced from wikimedia commons

Again there are many different screens and cinema systems on offer in the Emquartier Cineplex, in particular the AEON Theatre, a high-end cinema with the first Premium Laser Projector in Thailand. This screen here is meant to be 20 times clearer than other, standard or lower quality screens, and also brighter. Quartier Cine-Art promises to be the place that provides a whole new level of movie experience, with its extraordinary visual quality.

There is plenty of choice in terms of culinary delights at the AEON Theatre, where you will be served a pre-movie meal, with a choice of Western or Japanese food, from the famous Dean & Deluca.

The IMAX is even more special than other IMAX screens, as this is an IMAX Silver Screen, which is apparently 10 times brighter than standard and has a laser surround sound system to bring the movie to life.

One step up from Major’s E-ticket machine, the Emquartier Cineplex also presents customers with ‘CineRobot’, the first automated cinema receptionist in Thailand.

With 4 special cinematic screen systems on offer, the Emquartier Cineplex will go some way towards upgrading your movie experience beyond expectation.

WEBSITE: www.majorcineplex.com

Price: 1,000B/ Person, 1,800/ Couple
Location: Emquartier, 8 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

BTS: Phrom Phong  

6. Icon Cineconic 

If you take a world class luxury cinema and combine it with a sense of the highly artistic, then you might get ICON Cineconic. This gem of a cinema is located on the 6th floor of one of the most recent additions to the luxurious Bangkok shopping mall scene — ‘Icon Siam’.

Across the ‘other side’ of the city, in Thonburi, Ikon’s entrance to the Cineplex theatre is an unmissable 3 floors high, and it has a giant screen to show clips of movies in a way that you have never seen before.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Entertainment culture heads further into the future with the help of the 14 screens of ICON Cineconic, 8 of which are standard theatres. There is the Silk Premier Cinema, a VIP Private Lounge, a Living Room Theatre, a Kids’ Cinema, and an IMAX screen to name but a few!

ADDRESS: 299 Charoen Nakhon, Alley 5, Khlong Tan Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600

WEBSITE: www.majorcineplex.com