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Thailand’s first pet-friendly cinema opens to four-legged film-goers

  • Businesses are trying to cash in on Thailand’s pet industry, which is considered the second-biggest in Asia behind China’s
  • Earlier this month, Swedish furniture giant Ikea announced that small dogs and cats were welcome to visit its Thailand stores, as long as they sit in prams.

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A man and his dog wait inside a movie theatre to watch a movie during the opening day of the pet friendly theatre ‘i-Tail Pet Cinema’ at Mega Cineplex in Thailand. Photo: EPA-EFE

A fluffy white cat in a yellow dress perched on the top of a Bangkok cinema seat while, nearby, a Chihuahua in a Sebastian the Crab costume geared up to watch Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ with their owner.

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One terrier even channelled Ariel in a red wig and mermaid’s tail.

They were among dozens of four-legged film-goers that arrived in strollers Saturday for the opening of Thailand’s first pet-friendly cinema on the fringes of the capital.
The country’s pet industry is considered the second-biggest in Asia, behind China’s, with some 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021, according to industry data.
Thailand’s pet industry is considered the second-biggest in Asia, behind China’s, with some 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021, according to industry data. Photo: EPA-EFE
Thailand’s pet industry is considered the second-biggest in Asia, behind China’s, with some 8.3 million dogs and 3.7 million cats in 2021, according to industry data. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pet ownership grew further during the coronavirus pandemic, and now some businesses are trying to cash in.

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