The Portastylistic: Porta's Look...PERSONAL EFFECTS

PERSONAL EFFECTS
-Vol 5

A DEDICATED TO
CTW+SIAM Theatre
,BKK

SPECIAL EDITION

portastudio

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FOR A HEART OF STREET FASHION

Siam Square in 1992

Still a hub of activity after 30 years, the Siam Square area is now the home of the Skytrain interchange station (above). Compare this to the area in 1992 (right).
Also notice how much of the sidewalk has been cut back on each side to widen lanes for cars.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2276222523_ce69c38c65.jpg

SIAM SQUARE: Rent rises to go ahead
Chulalongkorn University’s Office of Property Management insists it will go ahead with hefty rental increases – from 165 to 430 per cent – for the 610 units in bustling Siam Square by the end of the month...
Suchada said that the university would increase the monthly rental fee from Bt30,300 per unit for all units in Siam Square to Bt80,000 to Bt160,000 according to the location. Each unit consists of about 56 square metres

THE FIRST 12 YEARS (1965-1977)
This was a groundbreaking era for cinema in the Kingdom. A large theatre was built and popular films from the West were shown. Siam Theatre was built on January 1, 1967. The Lido Theatre was built the following year, and Scala appeared in 1970. Aside from the construction of movie theatres, other commercial centres were built. The Bangkok Bank Building, British Council Building, and the Siam Bowl were all built during this period.

THE NEXT 12 YEARS (1978-1989)
The economy improves during these years, which are considered a flourishing time for fast foods, boutiques, and tutoring services. There were up to 51 restaurants during this time. For security reasons, a small police precinct and fire station was set up on Siam Square Soi 7, opposite Siam Theatre. These establishments began operating on February 15, 1980 with four permanent policemen.

THE LAST 12 YEARS (1990-2001)
Due to the economic crisis that began in mid- 1997, the education centre project had to be shelved in favour of Centre Point because investors of the former had to pull out. Since then, Centre Point - which combined businesses on the west and east sides of the area - has improved business in Chula Soi 64 by redoing the sidewalks, renovating various stands and adding flair to the environment with flashy advertisements. The resting areas and cozy spots brought the teenagers back, reviving Siam Square's reputation as the place to be.

by - The Nation, December 16, 2001

IT'S A BLUE DAY TO THE YOUNG AT-HEART

No matter, then it will lapse.
The only thing a rose is waiting to remind us to always remember that out. Whether you are interested in politics or not. Social or even your tattoo away from it how Lord accept that politics is about our,

Special Thank Pic Post by Bangkok Biz News

Special Thank Pic Post by DailyNews

Special Thank Pic Post by Nation Group

Today the pain in our Although it can not just fade away so I can just let it take it to remember by heart. Tattoo how painful it not forget to continue going forward. When we release the patch, we headed to realize that we've just how this injury.

The Classic
- SIAM Theatre -
Special Thank Review by The Projectionist

The following three posts are dedicated to the remaining movie theaters of the Apex theater chain. Despite having drastically downsized its once vast, Bangkok-based movie theater holdings, Apex continues to operate what are quite likely the regions three most elegant movie theaters.

A welcoming marquee

One of the last of the first-class stand-alones in Thailand, the Siam Theater is a bulwark of cinematic stability in an area of Bangkok that has seen almost as many physical changes as Thailand has had political coups over the years. Not just a few!
Although the elevated tracks of Bangkok's beloved Sky Train - now a 10 year-old addition to the city - have blocked a full view of Siam's facade, its sign and marquee still stand dignified over the stairs leading to the train platform. For passengers getting off at Siam Station, the orange and white sign of the Siam Theater is a beacon of welcome to the commercial center of the city, and a reminder that you are about to enter the most densely crowded area of town.

Stainless steel poster cases stand in the lower lobby, advertising films playing down the street at the Lido Theater, another Apex operation.

The lower level of the Siam Theater is filled with small retail shops, mostly catering to teenagers.

View of the lower lobby from the upper.

The Siam was the original flagship theater of the Pyramid Company, predecessor to Apex, which at the time was directed by Phisit Thansacha. It opened on December 15th, 1966, with the Thai premiere of Battle of the Bulge, starring Henry Fonda. Originally, the theater was slated to be named the Chula Theater, after the 5th king of the reigning Chakri Drynasty. But on the advice of Kukrit Pramoj, one of Thailand's leading statesmen of the time, the royal-evoking name was canned. "Siam" it was dubbed.

Among the Siam's sleek, modern amenities is an escalator; the first in Thailand to be installed in a movie theater.

En route to the 800 seat auditorium with its massive screen. The Siam is a treat to watch movies in.

Ticket booth

As for the Pyramid Company, aside from owning the vast majority of Bangkok's first-class movie theaters, it was also a film production and distribution company - its numerous and architecturally unique theaters serving as outlets for its films. From what I can gather, Pyramid tried to carve out a niche for itself in the Thai film industry of the 1960's and 70's by producing story-driven films, heavy in moral messages. But I'll leave Thai film history to the Thai film specialists.

The Siam Theater is the oldest of Apex's remaining theaters, all of which are in close proximity to each other in the Siam Square neighborhood of Bangkok. This low-rise pocket of downtown is boxed in by a number of huge shopping malls and hotels. The surrounding malls, like Siam Paragon, MBK and Siam Discovery all contain multiplex theaters in their upper levels. But if you're in the area and in the market for a trip to the movies, choose the Siam or either of the other two Apex theaters over those in the malls. Not only will you be doing yourself a favor, but you'll be supporting a company that takes true pride in its venues, in the quality of its services and which is conscious of the fact that it's the keeper of an important slice of Bangkok history.

Before I sign off for today, I must mention that almost all the above background information on the Siam Theater, as well as Apex's other Siam Square theaters, came courtesy of Phuangthong Siriwan (pictured above), the managing director of the Apex company, who was kind enough to spare me an hour of her time for a face to face interview back in May. She's been with Apex for many years and is extremely knowledgeable about the company. Many thanks for that.

"All The Good Old Day"

โรงหนังสยาม

Finally, it everything must go!
every place, every shop Each person has a story. Different memories, Or some similar dependence, but one thing in common now is to feel pity, And constant monitoring, but remember these stories after all I need is a new Rom track repair. The only remaining old memories. Red's all the same story, only from now on.

SPECIAL ARTIST
IN PLAYLIST

For the moment Soundtrack for everyone
remember the good old day of our life style lives grew up with place.
An exclusive live music from Portastudio's playlist.
Including Sarah McLachlan, Manic Street Preachers, Paolo Nutini,
Embrace, Idha, Super Butter Dog, D-51 and The Beatles.
so conclude +Live music performing
to dedicated for Our Heart of Street Fashion
'SIAM SQUARE'
a set of songs on this moment.