Cinema in Thailand Goes Pet Friendly, Sparks Debate Amongst Pet Owners

A while back, it was reported that a hotel in Hong Kong wanted to cater to four-legged guests by offering owners who brought their pets a “doggy dim sum” service.

Now, it seems that more businesses are looking into becoming pet friendly.

According to AFP, dozens of four-legged film-goers arrived in strollers for the opening of Thailand’s first pet-friendly cinema.

The animals had to wear diapers and sit in bags while the sound and lighting were adjusted for their comfort, Major Cineplex spokesman Narute Jiensnong said.

“Bangkok is not a very pet-friendly city,” Narute told AFP, adding that the concept was built on their child-friendly theatres.

Narute noted some pets acquired during the pandemic suffer separation anxiety now that owners are no longer working from home or in lockdown.

According to industry data, Thailand’s pet industry is considered the second-biggest in Asia, behind China’s, with 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021.

Pet ownership went on to grow even further during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In the kid cinemas, kids will be running around screaming or shouting… I think pet cinema will be the same. Everyone who comes will own a pet and be understanding (if dogs bark),” explained Narute.

One of the cinema-goers was Mano, who brought his rescue cat, Kati, to the cinema.

“We take him to work sometimes… today is like an experiment. We are seeing ‘The Little Mermaid’. He will enjoy seeing all the fish on the screen.”

However, despite the cinemas’ animal welfare safeguards, not all pet owners were thrilled about the idea.

A Bangkok expatriate told AFP that, while her cat frequently falls asleep beside her on the couch watching TV at home, she never takes her pet to the cinema and thinks the concept is “unnatural” and “torture”.

“Being zipped up in this cage, I don’t know if that’s enjoyable for the animal,” she told AFP.

“It’s so ridiculous dogs are not allowed in (most Bangkok) parks but they can go to a movie or cafe. What comes next, you bring your dog or cat to a massage palour?”

What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Pet Friendly Hotel in Hong Kong Offers Dim Sum to Doggos Who Visit With Their Owners