PHUKET: A bag search and a patron pat-down are two of the unusual aspects of the spectacular Siam Niramit show, which opened on Phuket last night.
Another surprise is the closing instruction to the audience, using the well-known logos on a big screen, to tell their friends about the show on Facebook and Tripadvisor.
What the Phuket show's unusual start and finish mean is that the battle for the bums and wallets of Phuket's tourists is growing more intense.
Siam Niramit aim to keep the secrets of their Phuket show safe, which is why cameras have to be checked in at the door, bags are searched and patrons are patted down.
Having fun is a serious business.
The two billion baht purpose-built site, accessed off Phuket City's bypass road, is vast and there are souvenir shops and a floating village, as well as restaurants plus free Thai dancing and elephant-patting.
The theatre is huge, terraced back to accommodate 1740 people. And the show?
I did not have to surrender my pen and notebook at the door but if I reveal too much, what's the point in having a bag search and a pat-down? (The odd thing is that cameras in mobile phones are allowed through.)
The show depicts a cultural history of Thailand, focusing on the key periods, and includes the arrival of traders on Phuket. There's a fantastic moment when . . .
Well, what can I say? The show begins with an arresting drum roll and then, a bit like a silent movie with the scenes interrupted by captions to tell you more about the plot, a screen descends to set the next scene.
While the voice-over is in English, the screen depicts coming events in Russian and Chinese - an indication if ever there was one as to where the show's audience will be drawn from.
Music accompanies each segment, and at times the performers - numbering scores in some scenes - move out among the audience.
The special effects? Well, there is weather of all kinds, mythical creatures floating on air, an underwater scene, and a segment that takes the audience to Hell and Heaven.
The time - about 90 minutes - does pass remarkably quickly, even though the performers don't say one word.
Most of the first-night audience was Thai and they appeared to have enjoyed themselves immensely. The reaction of the Chinese and Russians will be more interesting.
I've certainly never seen anything loaded with such spectacle and color. Visually, the show is stunning - not just once or twice, but all the way through.
What's more, we got our camera back without problems and were out of the crowded car park and on the bypass road in 14 minutes.
Siam Niramit, your secrets are safe with me.
Another surprise is the closing instruction to the audience, using the well-known logos on a big screen, to tell their friends about the show on Facebook and Tripadvisor.
What the Phuket show's unusual start and finish mean is that the battle for the bums and wallets of Phuket's tourists is growing more intense.
Siam Niramit aim to keep the secrets of their Phuket show safe, which is why cameras have to be checked in at the door, bags are searched and patrons are patted down.
Having fun is a serious business.
The two billion baht purpose-built site, accessed off Phuket City's bypass road, is vast and there are souvenir shops and a floating village, as well as restaurants plus free Thai dancing and elephant-patting.
The theatre is huge, terraced back to accommodate 1740 people. And the show?
I did not have to surrender my pen and notebook at the door but if I reveal too much, what's the point in having a bag search and a pat-down? (The odd thing is that cameras in mobile phones are allowed through.)
The show depicts a cultural history of Thailand, focusing on the key periods, and includes the arrival of traders on Phuket. There's a fantastic moment when . . .
Well, what can I say? The show begins with an arresting drum roll and then, a bit like a silent movie with the scenes interrupted by captions to tell you more about the plot, a screen descends to set the next scene.
While the voice-over is in English, the screen depicts coming events in Russian and Chinese - an indication if ever there was one as to where the show's audience will be drawn from.
Music accompanies each segment, and at times the performers - numbering scores in some scenes - move out among the audience.
The special effects? Well, there is weather of all kinds, mythical creatures floating on air, an underwater scene, and a segment that takes the audience to Hell and Heaven.
The time - about 90 minutes - does pass remarkably quickly, even though the performers don't say one word.
Most of the first-night audience was Thai and they appeared to have enjoyed themselves immensely. The reaction of the Chinese and Russians will be more interesting.
I've certainly never seen anything loaded with such spectacle and color. Visually, the show is stunning - not just once or twice, but all the way through.
What's more, we got our camera back without problems and were out of the crowded car park and on the bypass road in 14 minutes.
Siam Niramit, your secrets are safe with me.
Sounds spectacular. In two articles no mention of where along bypass road I can go to watch.
Posted by Bill Gates on December 24, 2011 18:19
Editor Comment:
Approximately midway between Thepkasattri Road and Tesco Lotus. You need to be travelling south towards Chalong. It's well signposted.