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Lido Cinema (Map; 0 2252 6498; Siam Sq, Th Phra Ram I; Skytrain Siam)

Paragon Cineplex (Map; 0 2515 5555; Siam Paragon, Th Phra Ram I; Skytrain Siam)

Scala Cinema (Map; 0 2251 2861; Siam Sq, Soi 1, Th Phra Ram I; Skytrain Siam)

SF Cinema City (Map; 0 2268 8888; 7th fl, MBK Center, cnr Th Phra Ram I & Th Phayathai; Skytrain National Stadium)

SFX Cinema (Map; 0 2268 8888; 6th fl, Emporium Shopping Centre, Th Sukhumvit; Skytrain Phrom Phong)

Traditional Arts Performances

As Thailand’s cultural repository, Bangkok offers an array of dance and theatre performances. For background information about these ancient traditions, Click here and Click here.

Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (Sala Chaloem Krung; Map; 0 2222 0434; www.salachalermkrung.com; cnr Th Charoen Krung & Th Triphet; tickets 1000-2000B; river ferry Tha Saphan Phut) In a Thai Art Deco building at the edge of the Chinatown–Phahurat district, this theatre provides a striking venue for kŏhn (masked dance-drama based on stories from the Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana). When it opened in 1933, the royally funded Chalermkrung was the largest and most modern theatre in Asia. Kŏhn performances last about two hours plus intermission; call for the schedule. The theatre requests that patrons dress respectfully, which means no shorts, tank tops or sandals. Bring along a wrap or long-sleeved shirt in case the air-con is running full blast.

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Gà·TEU·I CABARET

Watching men dressed as women perform tacky show tunes has, not surprisingly, become the latest ‘must-do’ fixture on the Bangkok tourist circuit. Both Calypso Cabaret (Map; 0 2653 3960; www.calypsocabaret.com; Asia Hotel, 296 Th Phayathai; tickets 1200B; show times 8.15pm & 9.45pm; Skytrain Ratchathewi) and Mambo Cabaret (Map; 0 2259 5128; Washington Theatre, Th Sukhumvit, btwn Soi 22 & 24; tickets 800B; show times 8.30pm & 10pm; Skytrain Phrom Phong) host choreographed stage shows featuring Broadway high kicks and lip-synched pop tunes by the most well-endowed dudes you’ll find anywhere.

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CINEMA STRATEGY

Going to the movies is a big deal in Bangkok. It’s unlikely that any other city in the world has anything 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’s 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’s 16 screens and 5000 seats a bit plebeian, you can always apply for Enigma, a members-only theatre.

And despite the heat and humidity on the streets, keep in mind that all of Bangkok’s movie theatres pump the air-conditioning with such vigour that a jumper or sweater is an absolute necessity – unless you’re going Gold Class, that is.

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Aksra Theatre (Map; 0 2677 8888, ext 5604; www.aksratheatre.com; King Power Complex, 8/1 Th Rang Nam; tickets 800B; shows 7pm Tue-Fri, 1pm & 7pm Sat & Sun; Skytrain Victory Monument) The former Joe Louis Puppet Theatre has moved house and is starting a new life here as the Aksra Hoon Lakorn Lek. A variety of performances are now held at this modern theatre, but the highlight are performances of the Ramakian by using knee-high puppets requiring three puppeteers to strike humanlike poses.

National Theatre (Map; 0 2224 1352; Th Na Phra That; tickets 50-100B; river ferry Tha Phra Chan) When its seemingly never-ending reconstruction is eventually finished, the National Theatre will host monthly performances of the royal dance traditions of lá·kon (classical dance-drama) and kŏhn. The nearby Bangkok Information Center (Click here) can provide an English-language calendar of performances.

Patravadi Theatre (Map; 0 2412 7287; www.patravaditheatre.com; 69/1 Soi Tambon Wanglang 1; tickets 500B; cross-river ferry from Tha Maharat) This open-air theatre is Bangkok’s leading promoter of avant-garde