Set to hold its last ever screening on May 31, Bangkok’s historic Apex Lido movie theater is going out with a bang.

On its final day of operation, the cinema in the heart of Siam Square hosts its own goodbye with a movie screening event called “Farewell to our Theater.”

They’ll be screening two Japanese movies: Tonight, at Romance Theater, Hideki Takeuchi’s 2018 movie about a director who falls in love with the character from a film noir production; and Kids on the Slope, the live-action adaptation of the popular anime franchise.

Tonight, at Romance Theater will screen at 6:30pm and Kids on the Slope at 8:30pm. Audience members can get a farewell souvenir by registering with the theater by 5:30pm. All movie-goers will also receive the posters for each movie. Tickets cost B120-140.

News that Lido was closing broke on New Year’s Eve 2017, when Chulalongkorn University Property, Lido’s landlord, announced in a statement posted to Facebook that they would be taking control of the building from Apex cinema group.  

“The building [Lido] is no longer in a safe condition for visitors,” read the statement, adding that renovations of the complex will commence in May. According to CU Property, the contract between it and Apex ended in 2016.

The Association of Siamese Architects recommends CU Property turn the building into a hall for events while preserving its structure. Apex Lido has faced financial losses for several years.

Lido first opened 50 years ago, on Jun 27, 1968, as part of a cinema chain that included Sala Chalerm Thai, Siam, Lido and Scala cinemas.

Earlier this year, BK Magazine spoke with Southeast Asian cinema historian Philip Jablon, who lamented the loss of Thailand’s standalone movie theater culture.

"Standalone cinemas are historical both in terms of architecture and social context,” said Japblon. “Siam Square was just another neighborhood until Scala and Lido were built. These two cinemas have played a significant role in building up this city, so we need to respect them and try to preserve them. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever."           

Apex Lido, 218/3-4, Siam Square Soi 1, Rama 1 Rd., 02-251-1727. Facebook