the abandoned oscar theater
This once-palatial theater on Bangkok's busy Petchaburi Road is now abandoned, with the front area serving as a sort of canteen for prostitutes that work at the local massage parlors, karaoke bars, night clubs, and turkish baths. It is not possible to enter the theater itself as it is locked and boarded up. It is said that the owner has charged 30000 baht per day for a local news station to shoot inside, and expects all others to pay the same for photos. I actually was not supposed to be taking any photos in the building, as there are 'private property, no trespassing' signs posted around (the one in front of the escalator being one) prohibiting photography. I ended up paying a guard who lives on the second floor a bit of cash to let me shoot shoot for a few minutes. He said that his boss doesn't like for people to take pictures and draw attention to the place.
According the the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project blog, the Oscar opened in 1976 and closed in the early 2000's. Also, according to the same blog, it was used as a church for 5 years after the closure of the theater. The Oscar has apparently been host to an array of tenants, stretching all across the spiritual spectrum.
The area around the theater is more or less a slum, full of shady characters and their associated activities, not exactly the family-friendly film theater that it once was. In spite of this, the Oscar still makes for a special place for pictures, with light coming through sunroof that delivers out a shred of joy in a heap of struggles. Even in it's dilapidated shape, it is clear to see the splendor of what once was a fine film theater.
Read MoreAccording the the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project blog, the Oscar opened in 1976 and closed in the early 2000's. Also, according to the same blog, it was used as a church for 5 years after the closure of the theater. The Oscar has apparently been host to an array of tenants, stretching all across the spiritual spectrum.
The area around the theater is more or less a slum, full of shady characters and their associated activities, not exactly the family-friendly film theater that it once was. In spite of this, the Oscar still makes for a special place for pictures, with light coming through sunroof that delivers out a shred of joy in a heap of struggles. Even in it's dilapidated shape, it is clear to see the splendor of what once was a fine film theater.
