Cinemas in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has several international standard cinemas. The ones playing movies in English with Thai subtitles are located at the Kaad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre ("Central" should be understood by all taxi drivers) and across the street from the same shopping mall at a complex called 12 Huay Kaew.

The latter facility is easily discernible from the cinema-billboard erected in front. The former does not have any such hints, so you have to go up to the 4th floor of Kaad Suan Kaew (elevator or escalator) to find out which movies are playing.

Alternatively, you may now check out their new web site at
http://www.chiangmaivista.com

Vista Cinemas at 12 Huay Kaew feature state-of-the-art sound systems like Dolby Digital and SDDS and they are clean and well-run.

Admission is currently 70 Baht (under 2 US$) from Monday to Thursday, 90 Baht from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays.

Recently Bangkok operator Major Cineplex opened a large complex at the Central Airport Plaza. The format is very American with thick carpets, corny curtains draped on the walls and huge theaters. Prices for movies, drinks and snacks are much higher than at the much more charming Vista cinemas.