Updates and hold-me-overs

Please pardon the lack of content, but I have been out of the field for nearly 18 months and my inventory has run dry. It's been a long, slow 18 month hiatus from this project, the harebrained idea I dreamed up back in late 2008 with the ambitious goal of documenting all the remaining stand-alone movie theater across Southeast Asia. Indeed, in my absence from the region I've missed out on attending 4 SEAMTP exhibitions. One in Thailand, two in Indonesia and one in Laos. I can only imagine the number of theaters that have been demolished during this period without a proper record of their existence. 

But, ladies and gentlemen, trusty loyalists and casual followers alike, the hiatus will soon be over. In a little less than two months I'll be flying into Bangkok. The Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project will be back in action. More details on this at a later date.

In the meantime, here's a little something to hold you over. 

This shot of Bangkok's King's Theater was sent to me a few years ago by a former US serviceman stationed in Thailand in the 1960's. King's was one of three theaters built on land formerly occupied by the Wang Burapha Palace, a grand old teak mansion built by King Chulalongkorn for one of his brothers. 

In the early 1950's Wang Burapha was purchased an razed to make way for the King's, Queen's and Grand theatres. Ask any Bangkokian who was around back then and they'll tell you that this area was the place to be for teenagers, with its trio of first class movie theaters and surrounding businesses all in one bustling section of town.

Today, the King's Theatre itself is gone. In its place stands the Merry King's Department Store.  

Judging by the "My Name is Pecos" billboard on the side of the theater, this photo probably dates from 1967 or 68.