Major Cineplex
Major Cineplex Group Public Co. Ltd. is the largest operator of movie theaters in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Combined with its subsidiary, EGV Entertainment, the company has 838 screens in 180 locations around Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Among its properties is Thailand's largest multiplex, the Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon, with 16 screens and 5,000 seats, along with the IMAX theater. The second-largest chain in Thailand is SF Cinema City.
 | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| SET: MAJOR | |
| ISIN | TH0671010R16 TH0671010Z08 TH0671010Z16  |
| Industry | Movie theaters Bowling alleys Ice skatting rinks Karaoke, Real estate |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand |
Key people | Vicha Poolvaraluck, chairman Kittsanan Ngamphathipong, chief executive Wichai Poolworaluk, chief executive, EGV Entertainment Arthorn Techatantiwong, deputy managing director, bowling Aorrawan Kowathana, deputy managing director, service operations |
| Revenue | 5,767.08 million baht |
| 626.36 million baht[1] | |
| Subsidiaries | Bangkok IMAX Theater Co. Ltd. EGV Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. Major Cineplex Property Co. Ltd. Major Cineplex Service Co. Ltd. Paragon Cineplex Major Platinum Cineplex (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. Major Platinum Cineplex (Laos) Co., Ltd. Cineplex (Laos) Sole Co., Ltd. |
| Website | www |
History
Major Cineplex was founded by Vicha Poolvaraluk (or Poolvaraluck) in 1994. A member of a family with roots in the movie business (the family was involved in film studios as well as several single-screen theaters), Vicha started out in property development.
In 1992, he was asked by his father, Charoen Poolvaraluck, to take over the movie theater business. Vicha decided on a concept of large movie complexes that could offer a range of entertainment services, including not only movies, but also bowling alleys, karaoke rooms, restaurants and shopping. The first such complex opened in 1996 on Nakhon Chaisri Road in Pinklao, Bangkok. The 14-screen, 4,000-seat Major Cineplex Ratchayothin opened in 1998 and featured Thailand's first IMAX cinema. It was the company's flagship cinema complex until 2006, when Paragon Cineplex opened. Other early Major Cineplex theaters include branches at Ramkamheang and Sukhumvit.[2]
In 2004, Major Cineplex absorbed Thailand's No 2 theater operator, EGV Entertainment, which was Thailand's first cineplex operator. EGV had been owned by a rival branch of the Poolvaraluck family, headed by Vicha Poolvaraluck's cousin, Wichai Poolvaraluck, who started EGV as a partnership with Golden Village.[3]
Theaters
Major Cineplex
There are at least 19 Major Cineplex-branded theaters in Thailand, with the number expected to grow in the coming years. The company aims to increase its total number of screens to 500 (including EGV cinemas) by 2012. Major Cineplex's theaters range from shopping complexes, anchored by the cineplex, such as Major Cineplex Ratchayothin or Major Cineplex Sukhumvit, that include bowling alleys, fitness centers, restaurants and shops, to multiplexes that are part of larger shopping malls, such as the Bang Na or Rama III branches in Bangkok.
At the theaters themselves, there is a range of seating choices, including the luxury "Emperor" class, which is similar to EGV's "Gold Class" (see below), and "Opera", which provides a sofa-like seat, designed for couples.
In December 2006, the company debuted another flagship brand, the Esplanade Cineplex, consisting of 13 theaters and a 26-lane bowling alley at the Esplanade complex on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok's Din Daeng district.[4]
Major Cinema
Thailand's first cineplex operator, EGV or Entertain Golden Village, was formed in 1993 by Wichai Poolworaluk's Entertain Theatres Network as a joint venture with Hong Kong's Golden Harvest and Australia's Village Roadshow (which formed Golden Village).
The first cineplex was opened in 1994 at Future Park Bangkae. Other branches include the Grand EGV in Siam Discovery Center (opposite Siam Square) and the EGV Metropolis, which anchors a Big C shopping center on Ratchadamri Road in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok opposite CentralWorld.
Village Roadshow took over Golden Harvest's stake in 2000, and in 2002, Wichai bought out Village Roadshow's 50% interest.[5] The company then merged with Major Cineplex in 2004, putting aside a rivalry within the Poolvaraluck family.
EGV's theaters
Aside from its EGV-branded multiplexes, EGV has the following:
- Gold Class – Smaller theaters, located on existing EGV properties, with their own box offices. The screening rooms have around 50 seats, with heavily padded reclining chairs and valet food-and-drink service. Blankets, pillows and foot-warming stockings are provided. EGV was the pioneer in this concept of luxury movie-going in Thailand and it remains popular.
- D-Cine – Small, living-room-like theaters where customers can program their own DVD movie showings.
- Drive-In Café – A short-lived concept, this was tried in 2003 in an auditorium at EGV Seacon in Prawet district. Featuring a 1950s American drive-in theater motif, the audience sat in automobile-like restaurant booths and could be served hot dogs and hamburgers while they watched a movie.
Paragon Cineplex
Opened in early 2006, Paragon Cineplex is on the fifth floor of the Siam Paragon shopping mall. With 16 screens and 5,000 seats, it is Thailand's largest movie theater location. It includes the 1,200-seat Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre as well as some smaller Honda Ultimate Screens with reclining seats. There is also the Enigma, a members-only cinema and the Thailand's second Screen X theatre. It was firstly located at the Quartier CineArt.
IMAX
Thailand's second IMAX cinema is part of the Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon. It was firstly located at the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin.
In 2022, Major Cineplex Group has a 7 IMAX Theatre around Thailand. IMAX digital theater are, Major Cineplex CentralFestival Chiangmai, Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, Quartier CineArt The EmQuartier Bangkok, and Westgate Cineplex CentralPlaza WestGate. And the IMAX with Laser theater are, Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon, ICON Cineconic at Iconsiam, and Mega Cineplex at Central Mega Bangna that not featuring IMAX stadium seat, and IMAX nXos 12.1 channel sound system.
Major Cineplex also operate IMAX Theater in Cambodia, it is a part of the Major Cineplex by SMART at AEON Mall Sen Sok.
In 2023, Major Cineplex and IMAX Corporation was announced for new 10 IMAX with Laser around Thailand and Cambodia. To be a biggest investment in IMAX system in Southeast Asia. The 10 locations are including 5 upgrade location that will transform IMAX Digital 2K Xenon projectors to laser projector start with Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, and Quartier CineArt in 2023, Major Cineplex CentralFestival Chiangmai in 2024, Westgate Cineplex, and Major Cineplex by SMART AEON Mall Sen Sok in 2025. And 5 new install location start with Esplanade Cineplex Ngamwongwan-Khae Rai in 2023 and 4 more location are to be revealed within 2025 focusing on prime and strategic location.
Esplanade Cineplex
Opened in late 2006, Esplanade Cineplex is a forth installment of Major Cineplex specialty chain. It's located on the fifth floor of Central Esplanade Ratchada shopping mall in Dindeang district. With 12 screens, including 2 Cinema Galleries for showing the Experimental film, BSC Diamond Screens with reclining seats and Dolby Atmos cinema.
However, Major Cineplex has opened a second branch of Esplanade with brand using from Central Pattana in Nonthaburi Province, and serve Thailand's biggest and largest digital laser cinema theater "GLS: Giant Laser Screen". And provide a same functional of Esplanade Ratchada except Dolby Atmos, and RealD cinema system.
Quartier CineArt
The eighth installment of Major Cineplex chain, exclusively built in The EmQuartier Bangkok shopping mall. It is said to be a Thailand first CineArt concept. With 8 screen, including IMAX, Thailand first Laser Projector "AEON THEATRE @ QUARTIER", Dolby Atmos and RealD XL theatre, and 5 digital cinemas.
ICON Cineconic
The seventeenth installment of Major Cineplex chain, exclusively built in Iconsiam Bangkok shopping mall in 2018. It is said to be a Thailand first interracial standard concept and Thailand first laserplex. With 14 screens and 3,000 seats, ICON Cineconic cinemas are including The Iconic IMAX Theater-the first IMAX with Laser theater in Thailand that equipped by IMAX-Barco 2nd generation laser projector (the Commercial Laser; CoLa) and 12.1 channel IMAX nXos sound system, The Iconic VIP Screen-the 6 star theater, Cineconic Kids Cinema, Cineconic Living Cinema-a cinema-themed with living room concept that provide for group rental or event rental first, the Iconic 4DX theater, and 9 digital cinemas that equipped with laser projection system.
The "M" Cinema Collection
In 2016, Major Cineplex has launched the "M" cinema collection to regrouping the Major Cineplex specialty chain into one cinema group and refers to new boutique cinema concept. It's including all brand of Major Groups cinema except Paragon Cineplex, Esplanade Cineplex, Quartier CineArt, and Icon Cineconic.
The "M" cinema collection has an eleventh specialty cinema around Thailand. The chain brand's include:
- Mega Cineplex - Located in Central Mega Bangna shopping mall in Samut Prakarn. Designed in Pixel and the Digital theme as the cinema is the Thailand first Digiplex that all 15 screens equipped by the only Digital 4K projector, and RealD cinema system, and not feature a 35-mm film projector in this branch. This brand also including the 4DX theatre, and the third IMAX Laser theatre in Thailand.
- Hatyai Cineplex - Located in Central Hatyai shopping mall in Songkla. Designed in Crystal theme that related to shopping mall theme. This brand including second upcountry 4DX theatre location.
- WestGate Cineplex - Located in Central Westgate shopping mall. Designed in Digital Edge theme. This brand including IMAX theatre, 4DX theatre, and introducing KIDS cinema a cinema hall for kids.
- Promenade Cineplex - Located in The Promenade shopping mall. Designed in Classical theme. This brand including 4DX theatre.
- Eastville Cineplex - Located in Central Eastville shopping mall. Designed in English Garden cinema concept and provide the first eco-cineplex that belong to "Green Ville" concepts of shopping mall.
- Diana Cineplex - Located in Diana Hat Yai shopping mall in Songkla. Designed in Movie Relaxation theme.
- Ayutthaya City Park Cineplex - Located in Ayutthaya City Park shopping mall in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Designed in Movie Relaxation theme.
- Korat Cineplex - Located in The Mall Korat shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima. Designed in Digital Edge theme belong to WestGate Cineplex.
- Blúport Cineplex - Located in Blúport shopping mall in Huahin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Designed in Resort theme belong to shopping mall theme.
- Seacon Cineplex - Located in Season Square Srinagarinda shopping mall. Designed in Resort theme.
- Si Racha Cineplex - Located in Central Si Racha shopping mall in Si Racha, Chonburi. Designed in Digital Oasis theme.
- Chanthaburi Cineplex - Located in Central Chanthaburi shopping mall in Chanthaburi. Designed in Digital Oasis theme.
- Westville Cineplex - Located in Central Westville shopping mall in Nonthaburi , Opening 29 November 2023
- Bangkapi Cineplex - Located in The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi shopping mall in Bangkapi , Opening December 2023
Other businesses
While movie theaters are Major Cineplex Group's core business, the company is heavily involved in the bowling alley, and the ice skating rink business, with a total of 245 lanes under its Blu-O brand. It also has 127 karaoke rooms, and 4 rinks under its Sub-Zero brand. The company also provide leases for retail space to outside tenants in its anchored shopping malls, it has total 48,828 sqm rental space in 2022.
The company has also invested in the growing California WOW Xperience Plc. (SET: CAWOW), the leading fitness center operator in Thailand. It has 10 branches: eight in Bangkok, and one each in Pattaya and Chiang Mai. It branched off due to foreign ownership rules for the wholly owned Asian subsidiary of 24 Hour Fitness, called California Fitness, and has member swap agreements with both chains. It holds a 36.75% stake in that venture, and consequently, California's Fitness Center branches are becoming part of Major Cineplex's developments.[6] However, the company was selling all of the CAWOW stock before it was terminated by SET in 2011. And CAWOW business was completely shut down in that year. The Anti-Money Laundering Offices (ALMO) began investigation in CAWOW business in 2012 and found that the 1,669 million baht or the 99% of business cash flow, was transferred from CAWOW to other nominee by Eric Mark Levine, a CEO of CAWOW.[7] The result are the business was completely bankrupt in 2013. And the ALMO was to freeze the 88-million-baht land plot in Phuket before it was transferred to nominee and Eric started the lawsuit between him and ALMO.
After the shutdown of CAWOW, the old CAWOW team and Major Cineplex was form-up the new fitness club business under the WE brand. With concept that WE will not accepts for new members after the member list was exceeded their branch limits. WE Fitness currently have 7 locations around Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces. The 5 clubs under WE Fitness Society are, Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, Major Cineplex Sukhumvit-Ekkamai, Major Cineplex Pinklao, Central The Esplanade and the Esplanade Cineplex Khaerai. And the 2 premium clubs under WE Signature are Central J-Avenue Thonglor and the Vie Hotel Bangkok Ratchathewi.
Major Cineplex is also have a ticketing service, Major Ticketing, which sold advance bookings for movies, as well as other events. However, it was merged with BEC-TERO's Thaiticketmaster in 2007. The merged entity is called Thai Ticket Major. Later in 2023, Major Cineplex was sold the 20% stake in Thai Ticket Major to Ticketmaster Europe which 20% remains.
In 2008, Major Cineplex swapped 79.99% share in M Pictures Co. Ltd. with 146,920,114 shares or 40.81% in Traffic Corner Holdings Plc. (TRAF) at Bt1.84 per share, totaling Bt.270.3 million and subsequently renamed as M Pictures Entertainment Plc. (MPIC). M Pictures continued to co-owned with Major Cineplex until 2023 when the company is sold to popular musical artist, Khanngoen Nuanual.
References
- Stock Exchange of Thailand, , 27 January 2010.
- The Nation, "Son also rises at Major Cineplex", June 28, 2001 (retrieved via Siam Future on January 29, 2007.
- Amnatcharoen, Bam (June 13, 2004), "EGV, Major Cineplex to merge", Variety.
- Rungfapaisarn, Kwanchai (May 3, 2006), "Major goes for 500 screens in six years", The Nation.
- Kim Eng Securities, "Bright earnings picture for cinema operator" (PDF) Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, May 27, 2003.
- Tisco Hong Kong, "Embarking on a new era in growth" (PDF) Archived 2015-06-10 at the Wayback Machine, February 10, 2006.
- "มหากาพย์ของ California Wow ที่ปั้นธุรกิจให้ดูรุ่งเรือง แล้วค่อยชิ่ง". 24 August 2021.