Bt9.5-billion Show DC retail and entertainment mega-complex on course for opening in June

The complex will have 150,000 square metres of gross floor area, which will include the world’s largest “K-town” outside South Korea.

The mall aims to attract 100,000 visitors a day, and is expected to achieve a return on investment within five years. 

Chayaditt Hutanuwatra, chairman of Show DC Corp, said the landmark development would bring to Thailand the novel “shop and enjoy” retail concept, which combines spectacular entertainment facilities with a rich mix of retailing and food and beverage outlets.

“Visitors will be able to indulge in the best of shopping, eating and culture from Thailand and the region, with particular emphasis on trendy Korean offerings,” he said. 

Chayaditt added that visitors would be able to enjoy Thailand’s most sophisticated entertainment offerings with a state-of-the-art performance hall for 5,000 people, and a 5,000sqm sports arena for exciting Asian sports entertainment. The arena will seat 1,500 people. 

“There is also a sensational 5,000sqm Fantasy Dreamscape cultural walk-through phenomenon called Himmapan Avatar, which will bring to life dazzling Thai legends through immersive 4D experiences using the most advanced light, sound and holographic technologies,” he said.

“Implementation of the Asean Economic Community [AEC], to be effective by the end of this year, will contribute a big help to the project. As Thailand’s first retail and entertainment complex, we aim to reinforce Thailand’s position as the region’s retail and entertainment capital. We believe this new retail concept that combines great retail and food with great entertainment will make Show DC a major attraction in the entire AEC region.” 

Show DC will support the government’s policy to create exciting new shopping and entertainment opportunities for international visitors, while also increasing the quality of visitors’ experiences while in Thailand, he said. 

Sixty per cent of the lettable space at Show DC has already been leased, and among its anchor tenants is YG Entertainment, one of South Korea’s top star-maker entertainment companies, which is behind global K-Pop sensations such as Bigbang, Psy and 2NE1.

YG Entertainment will also operate a 5,000sqm rooftop K-Pop culture and entertainment park with hip bars and clubs for fun and relaxation, he said.

“As part of our emphasis on presenting the richness of Asia, Show DC has an expansive 10,000sqm Asian Food Street that is dedicated exclusively to restaurants. Next to that, inside the K-Town will be large areas devoted to Korean fashion [at K-Fashion], Thailand’s most extensive offering of Korean beauty products and services [at K-Beauty], and celebrity food and beverage outlets, such as Psy’s Psy Ramen, and After Rain, inspired by global K-Pop sensation Rain,” Chayaditt said.

Praparwarn Waeladeevong, vice chairwoman of Show DC Corp, said the complex would be the first in Thailand to design facilities on this scale specifically to handle such high numbers of international travellers. 

She said that with the Kingdom expecting 37 million visitors annually within five years, landmark lifestyle destinations such as Show DC were an essential service to ensure convenience for so many visitors, as well as to reduce the strain on Thailand’s traditional tourist sites, which are rapidly becoming overburdened with visitors.

Show DC is easily accessible by multiple road and rail transport systems, being close to the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan station, the MRT’s Phetchaburi and Rama IX stations, and the Si Rat Expressway’s Rama IX exit and Asoke 1 entry, she added.