Exploring the depths of a vast abandoned theatre housing hard up locals

By Hannah Stevens @hanahshewans

PEEK inside this vast, crumbling theatre, which once brought a community together and now houses those in need of affordable living

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A fellow photographer’s documentation of Southeast Asia’s theatres tipped Dax off to this abandoned beauty

Photographer Dax Ward was tipped off about the stunning location when he came across photographer Philip Jablon’s blog, who is creating a photographic record of stand-alone theatres across Southeast Asia.

Parts of the ceiling have crumbled away inside some of the theatre's eerie auditorium's

Unable to resist exploring another historic, but forgotten, building, Dax headed to the Paris Theatre in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand.

Ward believes that the gentrification of major cities is slowly waking people up to the gradual destruction of historic buildings

He said: “If you consider the speedy development and gentrification that goes on in major cities these days, especially Bangkok, you realise how much the past is being erased in terms of architectural and social history.

Reels upon reels of film are scattered throughout the vast, ghostly theatre

”I think that I am drawn to abandoned places for the same reasons that many people are, because we’re reminded of what once was, what might’ve been, and what happens when we forget.

The Bangkok-based photographer has a long standing obsession with the beauty of abandoned buildings

“Also, film and TV has a role to play these days. In the past decade or so, there’s been a massive increase in popularity of the post-apocalyptical genre of film and TV.

“Now people are more curious about how things might be without people around.”

Locals can live inside the grand theatre for cheap rent

The eerie theatre first opened its doors in 1957 and closed down approximately ten years ago when it went bankrupt.

Situated in the centre of a busy, and once thriving, district the theatre’s loss is mourned by many, but renters are keeping some of its beauty alive.

The surrounding area is struggling with poverty and Dax recommends visiting with a friend to keep safe

Across Thailand people can stay in abandoned properties to save money and the Paris Theatre is no different.

Shards of glass, sharp nails and countless other remnants from the theatre's hey day litter the floors of the building

Those immune to the theatre’s creepier elements can cross the street and rent areas of the ghostly building at cheap rates.

On October 9 of this year, several Thai news sites reported that someone had died after falling from the roof while drunk

Ward said: “The people that lived here were going about their daily routine and didn’t seem to mind us being there and finally one of them told us it was alright for us to go into the theatre auditorium area.