The Crown Property Bureau recently announced it would back renovation plans for Sala Chalerm Thani, Thailand’s oldest wooden cinema, which dates back to 1918. While it is still being decided how to best develop the cinema so that it serves the community, BK caught up with its past custodian, Sompong Chotiwan, 74, who was there to witness both the rise and fall of this grand, century-old structure. 

The end of GTH, the return of messrs Apichatpong and Kongdej—it's been a big year for Thai film. Here are our five favorite flicks, listed alphabetically.

Juck Somsaman, 48, worked at one of America’s most reputed visual effects studios, Rhythm & Hues (involved in films like the Academy Award-winning Babe [1995] and, more recently, The Life of Pi [2012]) for 15 years before returning to Bangkok to open Monk Studios in 2009. While continuing to work on Hollywood films like Rango (2011) and George Lucas’s Strange Magic (2015), Juck has since taken on more jobs from Japan, as well as local projects like Khun Thong Daeng: The Inspiration (in cinemas now), an animated movie dedicated to HM the King’s beloved dog.

It’s the end of an era. With the announcement that GTH film studio will close its doors after 11 years, we compile 11 pivotal films that have left an indelible mark on the local film scene.

Still no Netflix (officially), but now there are ways you can legally stream unlimited Hollywood movies and series on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or smart TV, right here in Bangkok. We put the top competitors through a real-world comparison.

This weekend, Bangkok movie theaters finally welcome Foodies: The Culinary Jetset (watch the trailer below), the hit 2014 documentary about people who travel the world to scoff grub at restaurants which can charge the same for one meal as many of us earn in a month. Among the profiled foodies is Thai national Poonperm Paitayawat, 31, a PhD student and founder of The Skinny Bib blog—a beautifully composed and witty account of his dining adventures, which we thoroughly recommend you check out. Here, Poonperm shares more of his epicurean exploits. 

Sean Jindachot, 27, first came to public attention as a young actor in the Gling Wai Gon Por Sorn Wai TV series in the mid-'00s. Fresh from filming the upcoming series Ngao Asoke, he's  about to star in the new horror film Ghost Ship, hitting cinemas on Oct 29. Beyond acting, Sean's also made a name as a writer, last year releasing his debut book, an autobiography-of-sorts called The Present Perfect (Phrua Wan Nee Dee Tee Sud Laew), in which he shares his experiences and life lessons. We asked him how he manages to balance his various talents.

As the founder of the original dek naew bible, A Day Magazine, Wongthanong Chainarongsingha, 47, is never short of new projects. This week sees the screening of A Day’s first movie, The Down (watch the trailer below), a touching look into the lives of five Thai teenagers living with Down’s Syndrome. Here, he discusses why everyone deserves a fair chance in life and the impending launch of A Day Books Foundation Bookshop.

To mark National Thai Film Conservation Day on Oct 4, the Ministry of Culture added 25 films to the national film heritage registry. In that spirit, we present our favorite Thai films you should (re)watch immediately, listed chronologically.

HAL Film School owner Dhan Plewtianyingtawee, 31, wants Bangkok cinemas to look beyond Hollywood and local blockbusters, and he’s doing something about it. His new venture, HAL Distribution, independently finances the release of small movies from around the world in Thai cinemas, starting with the 2014 Ukrainian silent film Tribe, which is currently screening at Paragon Cineplex and Esplanade Ratchada. Here, he discusses what it takes to bring quality cinema to new audiences.