Hawaii Cinema (โรงหนังฮาวาย) - Spectral Codex
Spectral Codex
โรงหนังฮาวาย

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One of the last remaining vintage theaters in Bangkok still in operation as of 2018.
One of the last remaining vintage theaters in Bangkok still in operation as of 2018.

Hawaii Cinema was established in 1973 under the name Wong Wiang Yai Rama (วงเวียนใหญ่รามา). It had a seating capacity of 1,860 when it was completed, and it doesn’t seem like the main hall was ever renovated and divided into multiple screens. The name was changed in 1980, presumably because of a change in ownership. It is a rare example of a vintage theater in Bangkok still in operation as of 2018, albeit one that only screens adult films. An entrance fee of 80 baht was charged at the door in the early 2020s. It is difficult to discern whether it is still operating in 2025 due to the illicit nature of its programming.

Gazing up at the front of the old cinema building. The metal frames mounted on the top would have likely displayed movie posters back in the day.
Gazing up at the front of the old cinema building. The metal frames mounted on the top would have likely displayed movie posters back in the day.
The vacant marquee no longer advertises what films are screened inside.
The vacant marquee no longer advertises what films are screened inside.
Empty cases for movie posters and, at the far end, a ticket window no longer in use.
Empty cases for movie posters and, at the far end, a ticket window no longer in use.
Ascending from the parking garage to the second floor lobby.
Ascending from the parking garage to the second floor lobby.
Gazing up at the atrium near the front of the building.
Gazing up at the atrium near the front of the building.
This sign on the second floor reads “Hawaii”.
This sign on the second floor reads “Hawaii”.
Back at street level beneath the imposing façade of the Hawaii Cinema.
Back at street level beneath the imposing façade of the Hawaii Cinema.

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Profile photo of Alexander Synaptic, founder of Spectral Codex
Alexander Synaptic
Curator, Spectral Codex

I am a web application developer, photojournalist, urban explorer, and history enthusiast passionate about the open web and documenting my experiences on this planet. This project was founded in the early 2010s and has evolved into a sort of personal Wikipedia of places that interest me (and often the photographs I’ve taken there). I’m originally from Toronto, Canada, but spend most of my time residing in Taiwan.