Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [147]
Bangkok also hosts several annual film festivals, including the Bangkok International Film Festival in September.
Alliance Française Bangkok (Map; 0 2670 4200; www.alliance-francaise.or.th; 29 Th Sathon Tai; Lumphini exit 2) French films at the French cultural centre.
EGV (Map; 0 2129 4635-36; www.egv.com; Siam Discovery Centre, 6th fl, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; Siam exit 1) Bangkok’s poshest venue to view all the mainstream movies.
Goethe Institut (Map; 0 2287 0942; 18/1 Soi Goethe, off Soi 1 (Atakanprasit), Th Sathon Tai; Lumphini exit 2) German films at the German cultural centre.
House (Map-3; 0 2641 5177; www.houserama.com; 3rd fl, UMG Cinema, RCA, Th Phra Ram IX, Greater Bangkok; Phra Ram 9 exit 3 & taxi) Bangkok’s first art-house cinema showing lots of foreign flicks of the non-Hollywood type.
Lido Multiplex (Map; 0 2251 1265; Th Phra Ram I, btwn Soi 2 & Soi 3, Siam Sq; Siam exit 2) Arty and independent movies.
Major Cineplex (Map; 0 2515 5555; www.majorcineplex.com; Central World Plaza, 7th fl, Th Ratchadamri, Ploenchit; Chit Lom exit 9 to Sky Walk, Siam exit 6 to Sky Walk) All the amenities and mainstream hits.
Paragon Cineplex (Map; 0 2251 5555; www.paragoncineplex.com; Siam Paragon, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; Siam exits 3 & 5) This cinema offers both quantity (more than a dozen screens) and quality (several classes of viewing).
Scala Multiplex (Map; 0 2251 2861; Soi 1, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; Siam exit 2) Last of the old-style theatres, in the heart of Siam Sq.
SF Cinema City (Map; 0 2268 8888; www.sfcinemacity.com; 7th fl, Mahboonkrong, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; National Stadium exit 4) Multiplex showing Hollywood blockbusters.
SFV (Map; 0 2260 9333; 6th fl, Emporium Shopping Centre, Th Sukhumvit, cnr Soi 24; Phrom Phong exit 2) Creature comforts trimmings and varied screenings.
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CINEMA STRATEGY
Cinemas are a very big deal in Bangkok. Few cities have anything quite like EGV’s Gold Class, a ticket that grants you entry into a cinema with fewer than 50 seats, and where you’re plied with blankets, pillows, foot-warming stockings and, of course, a valet food-and-drink service. There’s also Major Cineplex’ Emperor Class seat which, for the price of a sticky stool back home, entitles you to a sofa-like love seat designed for couples. And if you find Paragon Cineplex’ 16 screens and 5000 seats a bit plebeian, you can always apply for Enigma, a members-only theatre.
Despite the heat and humidity on the streets, keep in mind that Bangkok’s movie theatres pump the air-conditioning with such vigour that a jumper is an absolute necessity – unless you’re going Gold Class, that is.
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GALLERIES
In typical Bangkok style, the art scene here lacks a centre – artists and galleries are peppered throughout the city. The more conservative, generally government-sponsored art can be found in the older parts of town, particularly around the Banglamphu area, while the commercial galleries prefer the business districts of Th Silom and Th Sukhumvit.
For maps of the city’s art scene, pick up BAM! (Bangkok Art Map; www.bangkokartmap.com) or the Thailand Art & Design Guide, and check the lifestyle magazines for exhibition opening nights.
100 TONSON GALLERY
Map
0 2684 1527; www.100tonsongallery.com; 100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit; 11am-7pm Thu-Sun; Chit Lom exit 4
Housed in a spacious residential villa, and largely regarded as the city’s top commercial gallery, 100 Tonson hosts a variety of contemporary exhibitions of all genres by local and international artists.
ARDEL GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Map-3
0 2422 2092; www.ardelgallery.com; 99/45 Belle Ville, Muu 18, Th Boromaratchatchonanee, Greater Bangkok; 10am-6.30pm Tue-Sat & 9.30am-5.30pm Sun; Wongwian Yai exit 4 & taxi
Despite its