By Morgan Thanarojpradit
Gilded cinema experience in the centre of Bangkok
NOT exactly a secret location but rather an overlooked treasure, this 48-year-old stand-alone cinema situated in the heart of a bustling city opened its doors on December 31, 1969 and its legacy still lives on today. The Scala Cinema started off fully equipped with 1,200 velvet upholstered seats and triple-projection Cinerama. The theatre first premiered The Undefeated starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson. The upkeep of the Scala Cinema has to be an economic challenge in these modern times. Maintaining world class quality and grandeur while preserving the original look and feel must not be easy. The standards of the Scala Cinema is such that His Majesty the late King Rama IX and Her Majesty the Queen have hosted charity film screenings there in the past.
The word ‘Scala’ means ‘stairs’ in Italian. Upon entering, all moviegoers are greeted with the classic back-lit movie sign opening into dramatic staircases ascending to the atrium where the ticket booths sit. The grand chandelier dominates the foyer, hung from the high ceiling and seemingly almost reaching the ground. This movie palace is a testament of its time with classic bronze and wooden art deco-style decorations from floor to ceiling. It is an excellent example of the classical architecture of its time.
The vintage cinema today was designed to be one of the most luxurious theatres in Bangkok. Today, it still only costs B100 per seat and just B30 for popcorn. The ticket booths are on one side of the atrium where the ticketmaster still writes the seat number on the stub and tears it from the book. The ticket collector in a fancy jacket awaits at the door. The velvet-covered seats and wrap-around design provide for optimal viewing pleasure.
Parking
Parking is available in Siam Square area or Siam Discovery Department Store.
How to get there
The Scala is just a short walk from the Siam BTS Station, opposite the Siam Discovery Department Store. This classic cinema is definitely not ‘off-the-beaten-path’.
The Scala Cinema. Siam I, Rama I Road, Siam Square Soi 2.
www.apexsiam-square.com
The word ‘Scala’ means ‘stairs’ in Italian. Upon entering, all moviegoers are greeted with the classic back-lit movie sign opening into dramatic staircases ascending to the atrium where the ticket booths sit. The grand chandelier dominates the foyer, hung from the high ceiling and seemingly almost reaching the ground. This movie palace is a testament of its time with classic bronze and wooden art deco-style decorations from floor to ceiling. It is an excellent example of the classical architecture of its time.
The vintage cinema today was designed to be one of the most luxurious theatres in Bangkok. Today, it still only costs B100 per seat and just B30 for popcorn. The ticket booths are on one side of the atrium where the ticketmaster still writes the seat number on the stub and tears it from the book. The ticket collector in a fancy jacket awaits at the door. The velvet-covered seats and wrap-around design provide for optimal viewing pleasure.
Parking
Parking is available in Siam Square area or Siam Discovery Department Store.
How to get there
The Scala is just a short walk from the Siam BTS Station, opposite the Siam Discovery Department Store. This classic cinema is definitely not ‘off-the-beaten-path’.
The Scala Cinema. Siam I, Rama I Road, Siam Square Soi 2.
www.apexsiam-square.com
