Best Bangkok VIP movie theaters
At 3,000 baht per ticket, Siam Paragon's Enigma theater is the most expensive movie-watching experience in Bangkok.Catching a film in a Bangkok movie theater doesn't usually feature high on many tourists' "to-do" lists.
But it should. Bangkok’s VIP cinemas, which show the latest Hollywood blockbusters in English, take moviegoing to an entirely new level.
The biggest draw is the seating. Many theaters have a VIP section in the back of a larger, normal theater, where there is more legroom and the chairs are bigger and comfier.
Others go all-out with special screening rooms, in some cases with only 30 seats, where the options range from aircraft-style first class recliners and love seats to actual beds with pillows and blankets and even beanbags.
Don’t get too comfy too soon though. You’ll still have to stand up during the Royal Anthem before the movie starts, so wait for it to finish before really sinking in and enjoying the spectacle at the Bangkok movie theaters listed below.
The Nokia Ultra Screen theater's comfy padded seats recline all the way back into a bed. Blankets and pillows are provided.Nokia Ultra Screen
Where: Paragon Cineplex (Siam Paragon mall - BTS: Siam)
What you pay: 700-800 baht
What you get: Watch a film in one of three VIP theaters with motorized reclining seats. With only 72 seats in one theater and around 30 seats in the other two, there's plenty of legroom here.
Tickets include a snack and drink provided up to an hour before the movie in the cineplex's VIP lounge, and more importantly, a complimentary foot massage.
Tip: if you take two minutes to get a member card for 50 baht, you'll get a 100 baht discount on the VIP tickets.
Enigma
Where: Paragon Cineplex (Siam Paragon mall - BTS: Siam)
What you pay: 3,000 baht
What you get: This is the fanciest and most expensive movie-watching experience available in Bangkok. Many of Enigma's wealthy members (staff say it costs 50,000 baht to join) are known to even rent the theater for a night.
Theater staff will start you off in the VIP lounge with a complimentary glass of booze. Choices include wine (Jacob's Creek), cocktails, or whiskey (Chivas).
Then there are some sizable appetizers, with a choice of pasta, savory crepes, dessert or a vegetarian option.
The 34 seats inside are sofa beds. Once seated, staff will come by and refill your soft drink regularly, although some may be disappointed to learn you only get one serving of free popcorn.
Still, staff say that next year they plan to change this and introduce new in-movie eating options.
There are two VIP theaters at the Esplanade Cineplex.BSC Diamond Screen
Where: Esplanade Cineplex (The Esplanade mall - MRT: Thailand Cultural Center)
What you pay: 700-800 baht
What you get: Run by the same company as Paragon's Nokia Ultra Screens, moviegoers get a lounge to chill in until the movie starts. Snack on some free eats and sip free soft drinks.
There are two VIP theaters in this branch, and both are 30-seaters.
World First Class
Where: SF World Cinema (CentralWorld - BTS: Siam)
What you pay: 700 baht
What you get: There's a variety of comfy reclining seating options in SF World Cinema's two 90-seater VIP theaters, with single seats mixed in with couches.
The lounge options include buffet-style appetizers along with free soft drinks.
World Cinema also offer drinks with unlimited refills and free popcorn.
Servers will come by and check on your needs so that you don't have to miss any of the movie to grab refills.
World Happiness Screen
Where: SF World Cinema (CentralWorld - BTS: Siam)
What you pay: 700 baht
What you get: The CentralWorld complex also houses the more colorful World Happiness Screen, which caters to a family crowd and has three seating options -- day beds, comfy chairs and, our favorite, beanbags.
The movies here are more child-friendly than at the other screens and the decor reflects what is considered to be the taste of its target audience.
SF Cinema City First Class
Where: MBK SF Cinema City (MBK shopping mall - BTS: National Stadium)
What you pay: 700 baht
What you get: No beanbags here, but you get the same deal as with SF's two First Class theaters in CentralWorld: lounge, snack, drink, couches, in-movie food service. There 60 seats in this one.
The services available at the MBK branch can also be found at the theaters listed below, all priced at 700 baht.
SFX Central Lat Phrao First Class
Where: SFX Central Lat Phrao (Central Lat Phrao mall - MRT: Phahon Yothin, short taxi ride away from BTS Mo Chit)
SFX Central Rama 9 First Class
Where: SFX Central Rama 9 (Central Rama 9 mall - MRT: Phra Ram 9)
SFX Central Chaeng Wattana First Class
Where: SFX Central Chaeng Wattana (Central Chaeng Wattana mall -- take a taxi from BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak. This one is well off the tourist trail.)
To find out what's playing in Bangkok and where, check out English-language website MovieSeer.com.
