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A wide selection of Thai crafts can be found on the 6th floor. Location: 6th Floor, MBK Centre, Phayathai Skytrain: National Stadium
http://www.me-go.net/rtw/blog/2005/02/01/b angkok-in-short/
The movie theaters in Bangkok are mostly in shopping malls–glorious, sparkling, air conditioned shopping malls. I don't think anyone can give me a hard time about enjoying shopping malls and Western food
after my time in Western China and Northern Laos. It's clear that I appreciate other cultures and want to see areas off the beaten path but sometimes I just want to order a meal and know exactly what I
will get. The great part about Thai movie theaters is that they have assigned seating. When you buy a ticket you walk up to a woman behind a glass enclosure–much like in America–and she puts her hands
together in a prayer position or "wai" (even Ronald McDonald wai's in Thailand.), bows, smiles and says "sawatdee." You tell her the movie title and time you want and she brings up a computerized seating
chart on a screen in front of you where you can pick your seat. This is great if you want to get a good seat but don't want to wait in line. Your ticket is printed with your seat number and an usher
brings you to your seat. Typical previews play first followed by an announcement to stand for the Thai National Anthem. Everyone stands and actually pays attention while "feel good" images of the king
helping the poor and holding babies flash across the screen. The Thai reverence for their king is interesting. It is the only SE Asian country to not fall under imperialist Western rule and has a
stronger national identity as a result. The king has no real power, much like England's system, but his face is plastered all over the country. Western movies are shown in their original English with
Thai subtitles so it's easy to watch. I found that I laughed at jokes before anyone else and some references passed over the rest of the audience but it felt like being back home in a 30 screen megaplex
with stadium seating
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