Locals waited in front of Major Cineplex Ratchayothin for the free screening of King Naresuan Part 5. Photo: Ton Kumchoke
While the best things in life aren’t always free, that didn’t stop everyone and their uncle from lining up to watch yesterday’s screenings of “King Naresuan Part 5.”
Courtesy of the military junta, tickets for the movie proved hard to come by as crowds mobbed cinemas for a shot at free movie tickets.
As seen in a video taken at Central Rama II, Bangkokians sprinted for a chance to see the fifth installment of the government-funded epic that is light on history but heavy on nationalism.
Meanwhile, netizens around town tweeted photos from their nearby theaters. Some locals reportedly were unable to get tickets despite showing up at 7am. By 10:30am, Major Cineplex announced that all 71 theaters in the capital showing the free movie were full.
ประชาชนจำนวนมากต่อคิวรับบัตร “นเรศวร” หน้าเมเจอร์รัชโยธิน ท่ามกลางกำลังดูแลเรียบร้อยเข้มงวด คิวแรกๆบอกมา 7 โมงเช้า pic.twitter.com/U7YPSMgYjM
— Ton Kumchoke (@tonkumchoke) June 15, 2014
10.45น.ปชช.แห่เข้าโรงหนังรับชมฟรีภาพยนตร์นเรศวร ภาค 5 โครง คสช.คืนความสุข @เมเจอร์รัชโยธิน ไร้เหตุป่วน pic.twitter.com/HjQXJL6VTr
— kesinee (@kesinee_t_NNA) June 15, 2014
เมเจอร์รัชโยธิน เปิดฉาย”นเรศวร”เพิ่มอีก 1 โรง รองรับปชช.ที่รอคิวล้นหลาม อย่างน้อยตอนนี้รัชโยธินรองรับคนได้ 400 คน pic.twitter.com/6DGLTOQlgV
— Ton Kumchoke (@tonkumchoke) June 15, 2014
บรรยากาศ “นเรศวร ๕” รอบคืนความสุขฯ ที่พารากอน คนโคตรเยอะ แถวโคตรยาว ยาวเลยพารากอนฮอลล์ไปไกลมาก pic.twitter.com/w6awFxZymY
— Gun EFM (@GossipGun) June 15, 2014
Many netizens expressed their disappointment how the theater chain handled the crowds.
“I waited in line for a long time. First there were two lines, and then the third and fourth followed. People who came after me got the seat first,” user Playlist S Classic wrote on Major Cineplex’s Facebook page. “They could have handled it better.”
Others said the combination of free-movie fever and limited seats almost proved dangerous.
“150 seats only? A thousand people were at Central Rama II and almost crushed each other to death,” Way-sin Singular wrote.
Meanwhile others felt the event should have been reserved for people who could not normally afford a movie ticket.
“The movies tickets are not that expensive. If you can buy a smartphone, you can afford this,” Natchapon Saejia wrote. “Let the people who cannot pay watch it.”
Others rolled their eyes at the thought of Bangkokians lamenting their free movie dream.
“You have paid to see movie your whole life, and you just didn’t get a free ticket this time,” Jackie Neo Silverray wrote. “What’s the big deal?”
Related:
Junta wants you to watch ‘King Naresuan’ for free this Sunday
