Take your dog to the movies

[Gaybutton]

Personally I think this is a weird idea. Maybe I'm wrong, but who would even want to take their dog or any other pets to the movies? The dog certainly wouldn't be interested and he would have to be cooped up in a pet carrier. And if there are several dogs and they start barking, how are you going to enjoy the movie? This is my idea of a thanks, but no thanks. Besides, my dog is ineligible anyway. The size limit for dogs is 5kg. My dog is 32kg (that's 70 lb).

Oh well, maybe this is a good idea, but if it is, I don't see it.


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Major's pet-friendly cinemas set to open

Service available on weekends initially

by Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

April 6, 2023

Major Cineplex Group Plc, the country's leading movie theatre chain, has partnered with i-Tail Corporation Plc, a subsidiary of Thai Union Group Plc, to open the first pet-friendly cineplex in Thailand next month.

The new venture, called "i-Tail Pet Cinema", is slated to launch at Mega Cineplex, EastVille Cineplex and Major Cinema's Robinson Ratchapruek branch on May 1.

According to Narut Jiansanong, chief marketing officer of Major Cineplex Group, the three cinemas will initially provide permanent pet-friendly services on weekends only.

Pet owners can bring small-breed dogs or cats weighing no more than 5 kilogrammes, but they must keep them in pet carriers at all times during the movie to avoid disturbing other moviegoers.

The pet-friendly cinemas will provide pet food and beverage stations, vending machines for pet accessories and a variety of snacks.

The ticket prices for the pet-friendly cinemas will be the same as for regular cinemas, and there will be an additional charge of 150 baht for each pet.

"The company has decided to open these three cinemas after realising that pet owners are a significant portion of their customers in these locations. We received a good response from the pet owners after we allowed them to see movies with their pets at a marketing event at Major's Cineplex EastVille last year," said Mr Narut.

"We hope the new venture will help draw more pet owners to the movies and boost the occupancy rate by 10% to 30-40% on weekend mornings."

The firm has been successful in opening children's cinemas over the past five years, drawing more parents to theatres in the mornings, he said. It now operates 12 children's cinemas.

Mr Narut said if the new pet-friendly cinema receives a positive response from pet owners, the firm plans to expand by opening additional branches in pet-friendly retail complexes.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/25 ... et-to-open

[Jun]

Personally I think this is a weird idea. Maybe I'm wrong, but who would even want to take their dog or any other pets to the movies? The dog certainly wouldn't be interested and he would have to be cooped up in a pet carrier. And if there are several dogs and they start barking, how are you going to enjoy the movie?

The idea's crazy and not everyone likes dogs either. I suspect it would drive customers away, including for reasons you list.

[Gaybutton]

The idea's crazy and not everyone likes dogs either. I suspect it would drive customers away, including for reasons you list.

And "toy" size dogs are notorious for yapping. Dogs 5kg and smaller - why do I think they're not going to be the most polite movie goers - even if they like the movie . . . ?

[Gaybutton]

The firm has been successful in opening children's cinemas over the past five years, drawing more parents to theatres in the mornings, he said. It now operates 12 children's cinemas.

That is certainly nothing new. When I was a child many movie theaters in my area would have "Saturday Matinees". First there would be several previews (and that was when previews were really previews), followed by several cartoons (our favorites were Popeye and Donald Duck cartoons), followed by shorts such as The Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, The Little Rascals, etc. Then there was always a double feature - usually a couple horror movies or adventure movies. Anyone remember all the Steve Reeves "Hercules" movies? And I still remember being truly scared by "Attack of the Crab Monsters" and "The Cyclops".

It would cost all of 50 cents per child. We loved those. So did the parents. It got rid of the kids for entire afternoons. The movie theaters were filled with kids every Saturday. The only aspect I didn't like was when my mother would say "If you don't take your little brother, you can't go either."

Those "Saturday Matinees" disappeared long ago. That's a shame. It was fun for all. And in those days, even for feature movies they didn't clear the movie theaters, so you could stay for a second showing if you wanted to. I and my friends sat through "Ben Hur" and "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" twice that way.

Wow, I'm getting nostalgic just writing this.

Times have changed, and not for the better. I'm glad I lived my childhood when I did.

[Gaybutton]

If I go to a movie, very sorry, but my dog stays home. He'll have to read the book . . .

Also when those extra loud sound trucks are on my street, my dog howls - loudly. Why do I think taking him to a movie just won't work?

And putting my dog into a doggie diaper? NO! Even if he would relieve himself in a diaper, that wouldn't before he wanders around looking for just the right spot to do his business.

My dog has never shown the slightest interest in watching anything on TV. I can't imagine him so much as glancing at a movie screen. More likely he'll just curl up and take a nap or try to play with the other dogs.

And just getting to and from a movie could present a problem if you don't have your own transportation. Even if you do have your own transportation, you better hope for a good parking spot very close to the movie theater.

In other words, I can think of plenty of reasons not to take my dog to a movie, but I can't think of even one reason to take him.
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Paws and popcorn: Cinema goes pet-friendly

Animal lovers cheer as Major Cineplex opens three i-Tail movie theatre locations in Bangkok

June 10, 2023

A fluffy white cat in a yellow dress perched on the top of a Bangkok cinema seat while, nearby, a Chihuahua in a Sebastian the Crab costume geared up to watch Disney’s "The Little Mermaid" with their owner.

One terrier even channelled Ariel in a red wig and mermaid’s tail.

They were among dozens of four-legged film-goers that arrived in strollers at the country’s first pet-friendly cinema.

Major Cineplex on Saturday opened the novel i-Tail pet cinemas at three branches: Mega Bangna Cineplex, EastVille Cineplex and Major Cinema Robinson Ratchaphruek.

The country’s pet industry is considered the second-biggest in Asia, behind China’s, with some 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021, according to industry data.

Pet ownership grew further during the coronavirus pandemic, and now some businesses are trying to cash in.

Mano, 37, had brought his rescue cat, Kati, to the cinema.

“We take him to work sometimes. … Today is like an experiment,” he told AFP.

“We are seeing The Little Mermaid. He will enjoy seeing all the fish on the screen.”

The animals had to wear diapers and sit in bags while the sound and lighting were adjusted for their comfort, Major Cineplex spokesman Narute Jiensnong said.

“Bangkok is not a very pet-friendly city,” Narute told AFP, adding that the concept built on the company's child-friendly theatres.

Narute noted some pets acquired during the pandemic suffer separation anxiety now that owners are no longer working from home or in lockdown.

“In the kids' cinemas, kids will be running around screaming or shouting. … I think a pet cinema will be the same. Everyone who comes will own a pet and be understanding (if dogs bark),” he said.

It is not the only business opening its doors to furry visitors.

Earlier this month, the Swedish furniture giant Ikea announced that small dogs and cats were welcome to visit its Thailand stores, as long as they sit in prams.

Outside the cinema, there were howls of disappointment as a 62-kilogramme Alaskan Malamute named Tungchae — who arrived in a 1.5-square-metre dog trolley equipped with a fan — was considered too big to enter.

Despite the cinemas’ animal welfare safeguards, not all pet owners were thrilled about the idea.

One longtime Bangkok expat said that, while her cat frequently falls asleep beside her on the couch watching TV at home, she would never take her pet to the cinema and thinks the concept is “unnatural” and “torture”.

“Being zipped up in this cage, I don’t know if that’s enjoyable for the animal,” she told AFP.

“It’s so ridiculous dogs are not allowed in (most Bangkok) parks but they can go to a movie or cafe. What comes next, you bring your dog or cat to a massage parlour?”

Story and photos: https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-a ... t-friendly