One of the greatest creature comforts is watching a movie with your pet. Now, pet owners in Bangkok, Thailand, can do just that in public, as the first pet-friendly cinema is now open.
Animals and owners gather at pet-friendly movie theater in Thailand
As reported by SCMP, the movie theater opened its doors to two- and four-legged friends alike for a screening of “The Little Mermaid.” Some pets even dressed up in themed costumes for the event.
A 37-year-old man named Mano went to the event with his rescue cat, Kati. “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.”
Major Cineplex spokesman Narute Jiensnong said the cinema’s concept was based on kid-friendly movie theaters. “In the kid cinemas, kids will be running around screaming or shouting,” he said. “I think pet cinema will be the same. Everyone who comes will own a pet and be understanding (if dogs bark).”
“The Little Mermaid” screening wasn’t exactly an animal free-for-all. Rules require pets to wear diapers and stay in carriers. A 136-pound Alaskan Malamute named Tungchae could not enter the theater due to size. (The pup’s almost 5-foot trolley, complete with fan, probably didn’t help.)
Unfortunately, not everyone – even fellow pet owners – is eager to welcome furry friends to historically human spaces. “Being zipped up in this cage, I don’t know if that’s enjoyable for the animal,” one cat parent said, according to 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?”
Pet-friendly spaces slowly gaining traction
This is only the latest new development welcoming pets into public spaces. Ikea’s Thailand locations opened their doors to cats and small dogs, if contained in strollers. It’s surprising more businesses in the country aren’t pet-friendly, given that Thailand’s pet industry is almost the biggest in Asia, second only to China. As of 2021, 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats lived in the country.
Is your dog ready for a pet-friendly movie theater?
Wondering if your dog could handle being in a pet-friendly movie theater? They might be ready if they behave well in crowded and noisy environments, such as dog parks. Additionally, if your furry companion has successfully completed basic obedience training and can follow commands reliably, they are more likely to adapt well to the controlled environment of a pet-friendly movie theater. Furthermore, if they are calm around strangers and other dogs, they likely possess the social skills necessary to navigate the movie theater experience without causing disturbances. Ultimately, gauging your dog’s readiness for pet-friendly movie theaters relies on careful observation of their behavior, training, and socialization to ensure an enjoyable trip to the movies.
Now that you know all about the first pet-friendly movie theater in Thailand, read up on why dog-friendly offices are the way of the future.
