When the government reopened the country in the third phase of easing this month, the Scala movie theatre remained shuttered. Rumours are widespread that the stand-alone theatre may be facing the final curtain.
The rumours haven't been confirmed, but people seem to believe them.
We've heard for quite some time that the theatre would go out of business because the operator can't afford the financial burden. And we've heard so many times the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU), the rich landlord, wants to reclaim this land plot which is located in a prime Bangkok area, and redevelop it like the neighbourhood.
Like most movie buffs and architecture enthusiasts, I had actually anticipated this for a while; it was only a matter of time.
Towards the end of 2017, movie enthusiasts were upset with rumours that the PMCU would demolish the Lido and Scala theatres. But the agency dismissed the speculation on the last day of 2017, saying it had no plans to take back or demolish either theatre. But the operator found the financial burden too great, so the PMCU had to take the Lido back for redevelopment
The PMCU then said it was seeking the best solution for the Scala, as experts suggested it should be opened for multi-purpose use -- as a theatre and creative event space.
The PMCU also said it had always supported the operator by extending the contract and cutting the rental fees, for the operator to serve its fans with special film festivals and make it possible to keep the five-decade business running.
Fast forward to 2020, over a week after the rumours started. Apex, the operator and long-time tenant, has kept mum and the PMCU hasn't announced anything. We can only imagine it may spell the end of the theatre.
I chatted with American researcher Philip Jablon, who over a decade has documented historical movie places and stand-alone theatres in Thailand and neighbouring countries. He wasn't surprised about the rumours either. In the US, it would be different as old movie theatres have generally become increasingly integral parts of urban renewal efforts.
He actually referred to an old plan by the PMCU from 2012 to demolish both theatres to make ways for more shopping malls.
Like many architects as well as the Association of Siamese Architects, Jablon shared the idea of turning the theatre into a cinema centre and an events venue. With its prime location easily accessed by public transport and its historical and architectural background, it would be perfect for unique film programming and other cultural events.
Jablon said if he had a chance, an ideal project would be to turn the Scala into a cinema centre, featuring diverse content curated by film experts across Thailand. Talks and film festivals could entice people to come to Bangkok for this unique experience. It should have a membership system with film-related products on offer in the building, to keep people coming back and generating profits for the operator.
I couldn't agree more with Jablon. Of course, other cultural or architectural events could also be added.
But I'm not sure if the landlord will be happy with his idea. From their perspective it would be easier to simply modernise the neighbourhood and raise the rent. A tenant has told me that his rent jumped about 30% when the first contract, that lasted about four years, ended in 2019. Due to the pandemic, the PMCU cut the rent by half in March and waived the fee in April and May. He is still keeping his fingers crossed for June. The tenant is worried about an increase in the rent when the contract ends in the near future.
With a business solely relying on tourists, the tenant lamented that the economy will remain weak for one or two years, so how will it be possible for the business to rebound after the pandemic, not to mention with the increasing fee next year?
I'm not sure if Apex will face the same rising rental fees.
It wouldn't hurt if the PMCU conserved the art deco architecture in its modernised neighbourhood. A good landscape architect should be able to blend the half-century-old architecture in.
The opportunity will be lost if the university can't save the structure as so many faculties can make use of this unique theatre, apparently the only functional one left in the city.
Architecture students could learn a great deal from the art deco-style structure while theatre and music students could make use of the stage.
This could be a win-win project. The historical building would be conserved, the landlord's reputation would be restored and the public could enjoy quality leisure time.
Sirinya Wattanasukchai is a Bangkok Post columnist.