Mile High Playhouse Co opened its first "playhouse" near Khao Yai National Park as a leisure alternative for tourists.

An artist’s rendering of the Mile High playhouse in Khao Yai.

A playhouse is a mall with a stage for shows or concerts as its anchor.

Managing director Kusira Punyaratapant said Mile High, which is on Thanarath Road km 20 near the Greenery project, opened last week.

"Mile High playhouse was built to fulfil the dreams of people who love Khao Yai, music and showbiz, just like us. We wanted to create a colourful nightlife to help make Khao Yai a featured and sustainable destination," she said.

Ms Kusira, with several years of experience in the tourism business, set up the company with her banker partner because they felt Khao Yai had limited activities for visitors to do at night.

The playhouse cost 30 million baht to build using an environmentally friendly design. The stage has 337 seats, while there are restaurants, a game zone, shops and a meeting room for seminars.

The complex will stage shows specially designed by the country's leading professionals. Each show will last for three months before changing.

Tickets will cost 900 baht per head, with shows at 6pm and 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The company will promote its playhouse at the Thai Tiew Thai tourism fair held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from today till Sunday.

"There is a huge opportunity because over 70% of Khao Yai's activities close by 7pm," she said.

"Tourists normally spend the evening having dinner in hotels or restaurants and then return."

The firm will target those who have homes in Pak Chong, Wang Nam Kiew, Klang Dong, and Muaklek areas, as well as expats, foreign tourists and organisations looking to hold seminars.

Ms Kusira believes restaurants with outdoor music can flourish in this setting. The company expects to break even within three months.

"We're considering a low-rise hotel with 60 rooms near the playhouse at a cost of 50 million baht," she said.