){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
Hundreds of comments and eulogies have been written and posted at Pantip.com and on Facebook since last night's arson attack on Siam Theatre, as film fans and Bangkok residents share their memories and sadness at the burning of one of Bangkok's oldest cinemas.
Siam Theatre was one of only a few standalone cinemas in town. It was much more than just a theatre, holding many memories for film lovers since opening its doors 44 years ago.
"The first film screened at Siam Theatre was "Battle of the Bulge" aka "Rot Thung Prajan Ban". I went to see it 44 years ago and sat in the front row as that's where the cheapest seats were - a ticket cost just Bt7," says well known architect Yodyium Theptaranon on Facebook.
"I remember the fun I had watching 'Jurassic Park' with my gang," writes "Don't care never die."
"I never knew how much the theatre meant to me until yesterday. I cried. Hope the place will be back soon, I'll wait for you," says "Ranmachan."
"Siam and Lido theatres are the venues where I can watch movies alone and not feel lonely. I trust the staff in their yellow suits who take care of us very well. My tears fell when I watched the news and I thought of the staff and the uncle in yellow. I am sure they feel sad like us," says "Sao Na sasi" at Chalermthai.
"Even though I've only watched movies at Lido and Scala, I think the atmosphere is the same. Siam Theatre is a symbol, a meeting place. It's a place where there are a lot of memories. I cried when watching the news. Can you get anything by burning these places except more conflict?" writes "kokoro_kim".
The 800-seat Siam theatre opened on December 15, 1966 with the film "Battle of the Bulge" ("Rot Thung Prajan Ban") starring Henry Fonda and Robert Shaw. It was the first place in Thailand to boast an escalator.
The nearby Lido Theatre opened two years later on June 27, 1968, premiering with the Western "Guns for San Sebastian" ("Suek Sebastian") starring Anthony Quinn. The 1,000 seat Scala theatre opened the following year, on December 31, 1969.
Originally to be called Chula, the name was changed to Siam following strong opposition from critics who felt it inappropriate to give a cinema the same name as a monarch.
The three cinemas under the APEX chain have been popular for decades.
While Scala is where Hollywood blockbusters are generally screened, Siam has long been the theatre of choice for Thai films, among them MC Chatreechalerm Yukol's "Khon Liang Chang" ("The Elephant Keeper") and the acclaimed film noir by Manop Udomdej, "Kaloke Bang Tai Chai Kaloke Na Tai Korn" ("The Dumb Die Fast, The Smart Die Slow").
Following a fire at Lido cinema in 1993 and its reconstruction and remodelling as a three theatre multiplex, the Apex chain has adapted to current trends, showing both blockbusters and alternative movies, including festival winners, Asian films and Thai independent films. The advantages include longer screening periods, warm and welcoming staff and cheaper tickets.
Siam Theatre and the surrounding area are up for demolition next year by the landowner Chulalongkorn University. According to the master plan, it will be replaced be a modern shopping complex.