Thailand opens its first pet-friendly cinema just outside of Bangkok

The country's pet industry is considered the largest behind China

Pets have to wear nappies and sit in bags while the sound and lighting are adjusted for their comfort. EPA

Pet owners and a cat sit inside a movie theatre on the opening day of the pet-friendly i-Tail Pet Cinema opening at Major Cineplex inside Mega Bangna shopping mall in Samut Prakan on June 10, 2023. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Thailand's pets industry is considered the biggest in Asia behind China, with some 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021. EPA

People and their pets take their seats. EPA

A pet cat dressed up and on a leash explores the seats inside the theatre. AFP

The pet-friendly cinema is on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand's capital. EPA

A cat walks on a chair inside a movie theatre during the opening day. EPA

A touch of style from this dog for the opening day of the pet-friendly cinema in Bangkok. EPA

A man and his dog wait inside the cinema during the opening day of the pet friendly theatre. EPA

A dog owner waits to see a movie on the opening day of the pet-friendly i-Tail Pet Cinema opening at Major Cineplex. AFP

Major Cineplex Group, Thailand's leading movie theatre chain, has opened the country's first pet-friendly cinema. EPA

The pet-friendly theatre is called i-Tail Pet Cinema. EPA

Dog owners and their pets wait in the wait in the cinema lobby. AFP

Pet dogs and their owners sit inside the cinema. AFP

Owner and pet arrive for the opening day of i-Tail Pet Cinema at Mega Cineplex in Samut Prakan, Thailand. EPA

A pet dog and owner waits to see a screening of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at i-Tail Pet Cinema opening at a Major Cineplex. AFP

Pet dogs and their owners sit inside a movie theatre. AFP

A dog watches a movie inside a cinema during the opening day. EPA

People with their pets walk arrive at the cinema on its opening day. EPA

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 channelled Ariel in a red wig and mermaid's tail.

They were among dozens of four-legged filmgoers that arrived in strollers on Saturday for the opening of Thailand's first pet-friendly cinema on the outskirts of Bangkok.

The country's pet industry is considered the biggest in Asia, behind China, 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 nappies 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 their child-friendly theatres.

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

“In the kid cinemas, kids will be running around screaming or shouting … I think 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.

This month, 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 62kg 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 long-time Bangkok resident 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?”