Nine provinces miss reel deal, forcing Thai movie buffs to hit the road

Nine provinces in Thailand lack cinemas, forcing residents to travel to neighbouring regions to watch movies. The issue came to light recently when a netizen from Mae Hong Son expressed frustration about the lack of local cinemas, which sparked a broader discussion about social inequality and the economic viability of the cinema industry in these areas.

The comment was made yesterday, August 27, in response to the popular film Wiman Nam, which has highlighted the disparity in entertainment access across different regions.

“We, the people of Mae Hong Son, really want to watch this movie, but there’s no cinema here.”

This revelation led to a public debate about the balance between the profitability of cinema businesses and the accessibility of entertainment for all citizens. As a result, many are now examining the broader implications of this lack of infrastructure.

Today, a closer look reveals that nine provinces in Thailand are entirely without cinemas. These provinces include Mae Hong Son, Trat, Chainat, Nakhon Nayok, Narathiwat, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Amnat Charoen, and Uthai Thani. Of these, Narathiwat and Pattani have plans to build cinemas, but currently, residents must travel elsewhere to enjoy a film.

Mae Hong Son, located in the northern part of Thailand, is one of the most affected provinces. The mountainous terrain and remote location contribute to the challenges of establishing a cinema. Residents have to travel considerable distances to enjoy the simple pleasure of watching a movie on the big screen, a luxury that many take for granted.

Trat, another province without a cinema, is located in the eastern part of Thailand. Known for its beautiful islands and beaches, Trat attracts many tourists but still lacks basic entertainment infrastructure for its residents. The same can be said for Chainat, located in the central region, which also suffers from a lack of local cinemas.

Other provinces

Nakhon Nayok, situated in central Thailand, and Bueng Kan, in the northeastern region, share similar fates. Despite their scenic landscapes and cultural attractions, the absence of cinemas highlights a gap in local amenities that affects the quality of life for the residents.

In the southern region, Narathiwat and Pattani are provinces that currently have no cinemas but have plans for future developments. However, until these plans come to fruition, residents continue to face challenges in accessing entertainment. Narathiwat, in particular, has been identified as having potential for future cinema projects, but these developments are still in the planning stages.

Amnat Charoen and Uthai Thani, both in the northeastern part of the country, also lack cinemas. These provinces are largely rural, with economies based on agriculture, which may not present an immediate market for cinema operators but still leaves residents without local entertainment options, reported KhaoSod.