Cinemas in Thailand are popular venues for entertainment. Especially in Bangkok, the movie theaters tend to be multiplex facilities offering many other forms of entertainment besides movies, such as bowling or karaoke, along with restaurants and small shops.

The films playing in Thai cinemas are usually first-run Hollywood features, which tend to dominate the box-office scene. There is a burgeoning Thai film industry that is making dozens of films each year that are increasingly popular with local audiences. Films from other Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, are popular as well.

The movie-theater business in Thailand is led by the Major Cineplex Group, which owns the Major Cineplex chain as well as the EGV chain and operates the Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon as well as Thailand's IMAX theaters. Behind the combined Major Cineplex-EGV, which has a 50 percent market share, the SF Group is the No. 2 operator, with a 35 percent share. Smaller chains include Apex in Bangkok's Siam Square, Thana Cineplex, Major Hollywood and UMG. In Chiang Mai, there is the Vista cinema. In Southern Thailand, there is the Coliseum chain.

, there were 570 screens in Thailand, with 300 in the Bangkok metropolitan area. Nationwide, the person-to-screen ratio is 170 people per screen, with a 30:1 ratio in Bangkok.

Ticketing, seating and customs

Ticket prices range from around 70 baht to 160 baht, depending on the time of day, the day of the week, the location of the theater and the movie being screened. In Bangkok cinemas, the price for new-release films will generally be 140 to 160 baht.

Seating is assigned; audience members make their choice of seating on a computer screen at the box office. Online ticketing is available on theater-chain websites. Automated phone booking is available as well.

Before the film, the audience must stand for the "Royal Anthem", which is accompanied by a montage of images of King Vajiralongkorn.

Most theaters in Thailand keep the air conditioning very cold; patrons often bring a light sweater or jacket.

The EGV chain has "Gold Class" cinemas, which have smaller screening rooms fitted with reclining seats, blankets and pillows. Prices for a Gold Class show range from 300 baht to 500 baht. The Major Cineplex chain offers comparable "Emperor" class seating, while SF Cinema has "First Class" and "VIP" screenings and Major Hollywood has "Star" seats. Paragon Cineplex has "Ultra Screen" theaters. Some cinemas, including Major Cineplex, EGV and Major Hollywood, have sofa-style seating at the back of the auditoriums, intended for couples. Customers who purchase these types of seats may sit in a lounge before the show and may be provided with free drinks or popcorn. Food and drinks may also be ordered and will be served by theater staff as the movie is playing.Holland, Michael. Thai Culture: Movies (retrieved August 19, 2006)

Language and subtitling In central Bangkok and cities with many tourists and foreign residents, such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket, foreign films (including Hollywood releases) will have the original soundtrack (called "soundtrack") with Thai subtitles. Outside of tourism centers and in some suburban Bangkok cinemas, all the foreign films, including Hollywood films, will generally be dubbed into Thai language.

Films from other Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, often play in Thai theaters, but the soundtracks will usually be dubbed into Thai. Exceptions to this will be found at the Apex chain theaters in Siam Square and at House cinema on Royal City Avenue.

Often, films from Hollywood, as well as films from European countries that feature languages other than English, will have only Thai subtitles.

For Thai films, most cinemas in tourism centers will have English subtitles. Exceptions for regional language (like Isan) in Thai film, such as Yam Yasothon (Thai: แหยม ยโสธร) and Panya Raenu (Thai: ปัญญา เรณู), which have only Thai subtitles.

Film ratings

A motion picture rating system to replace the 1930 Film Code was passed by the National Legislative Assembly in 2007 and was implemented in 2010.

Under the 1930 Film Code, the Board of Censors reviewed all films to be shown in Thailand and made cuts or altered scenes that were deemed inappropriate. The board was made up of members of the Royal Thai Police and Ministry of Culture officials. Members of various interest groups, such as Buddhist monks, physicians or teachers, are sometimes consulted about whether certain films would offend them.

Traditionally, depictions of sex and nudity are dealt with most heavy-handedly, with scenes being cut, pixelated or obscured by petroleum jelly. Profanity and violence are generally left intact.

Apex

The Apex Group of cinemas comprise the Lido, Scala and Siam theaters in Siam Square in Bangkok. The company is owned by the Tansacha family and is headed by Nanta Tansacha.Amnatcharoenrit, Bamrung (June 3, 2003), "Old-style glamour still sells", Bangkok Post via Siamfuture.com. The theaters were built in the late 1960s and have changed little since, making possible a retro movie-going experience that can't be found at the shopping-mall multiplexes. The theaters tend to not be as crowded as the other cinemas in central Bangkok, and it's usually possible to obtain the most-desired seating just minutes before showtime. The Apex cinemas not only show first-run Hollywood films, but also many art films, which is unique in Thailand, other than the House theater on Royal City Avenue. Among the events exclusive to the Apex is the annual Little Big Film Project, in which a series of foreign independent films are shown over the course of several weeks. Cinema Screens SeatsLocationRemarksLido3675Siam Square, Pathum Wan, opposite Siam CenterThe Lido cinemas are an older multiplex dating back to the late 1960s. They often screen Japanese, Korean and other foreign films and offer both Thai and English subtitles. All seats are 100 baht.

On May 31, 2018, the cinema held a farewell event for the original iteration of the multiplex before closing down for renovation and re-opened as Lido Connect on July 30, 2019. After re-opening, while Lido 2 and 3 were converted into concert and live event halls — only Lido 1 remains as a movie theater.Scala1900Siam Square, Pathum Wan, opposite Siam Discovery CenterThe Scala Theatre was built in 1967. The screen is 21 meters wide and 8.7 meters tall. Ticket buyers point out what seats they desire on a paper chart in the ticket booth. Also in the lobby are hand-painted movie advertisements, which were commonplace in Thailand until the 1990s, when large-scale screen printing became available. First-run Hollywood features are usually featured at the Scala, with the films moving to the Lido cinemas in subsequent weeks. The Scala is occasionally booked for live shows and private functions. Tickets are 140 baht for normal seats (Row H-CC) and 160 baht for stadium-style seating at the rear of the auditorium (Row A-G).

Scala switched their main projector from film to digital on February 27, 2013, with the film projector still available for special screenings of films in 35mm movie film.

The Scala Cinema closed on 5 July 2020, with its last screening being the film, Cinema Paradiso.Siam1832Siam Square, Pathum Wan, opposite Siam ParagonSiam Theatre was burnt down during the political unrest in Bangkok on 19 May 2010.

Coliseum Cineplex Coliseum Cineplex is a chain of movie theaters in Southern Thailand.

Cinema Screens SeatsLocationRemarksColiseum Cineplex6 Paradise Shopping Plaza, Phuket CityColiseum Cineplex3 PhatthalungColiseum Cineplex4 YalaOpened 25 January 2006.

Major Cineplex

Major Cineplex combined with the EGV chain, is the largest operator of cinemas in Thailand. Its operations are concentrated in Bangkok. Major Cineplex's cinemas are divided into five brands which are Major, Major Cineplex, Major Cinema, EGV, Paragon Cineplex, Quartier CineArt, ICON Cineconic and Esplanade Cineplex.

1. Current Branches

Major In April 2025, Major Cineplex decided to use the name "Major" as the sole brand to rebrand all branches of Major Cineplex, Major Cinema and EGV to use the same name.

In Bangkok district