Down a small street within walking distance of BTS Phra Khanong, a blue-lit dragon guards the entrance to one of Bangkok's more improbable hospitality projects.

But before we come back to the future, let's dial back to the past. Arcadia began as a cyberpunk barcade: part craft beer bar, part retro gaming den, and part gathering place for the sort of Bangkok residents who are rarely impressed by another polished rooftop lounge. Now it has evolved into something larger and stranger.

Above the newly expanded Arcadia Live café, bar and event space is Cinematique, a boutique hotel designed as a collection of forgotten film sets from Thailand's cinematic past.

Each room belongs to its own fictional lost production. Guests can spend the night inside a Thai ghost story, a jungle adventure, a vintage romance or the Bangkok hideout of a 1960s secret agent. One room even draws inspiration from the sweat, bravado and gloriously excessive action films of the 1980s, complete with its own Muay Thai training area.

The project is the latest creation of Todd Ruiz, a writer and journalist who previously worked as an editor at Khaosod English. Seeing a former colleague bring such an ambitious and deeply personal project to life is a source of pride for our newsroom — although anyone familiar with Todd's enthusiasm may be a bit less surprised.

Arcadia began across the street as a smaller barcade. When a nearby property came up for sale, Todd jumped at the chance to build something bigger. The result was Arcadia Live and Cinematique: a larger home for the community that had already formed around the original bar, with a boutique hotel layered above it.

The project has been driven by an unusually determined do-it-yourself spirit, which Todd says he inherited from his father, a former NASA engineer. When he wanted arcade cabinets, he built them himself despite having no prior carpentry experience. When he needed custom-programmed LED strips, he taught himself how.

Todd seems to operate on the belief that almost any skill can be learned if the project is interesting enough. Cinematique gives him the perfect outlet: a nerdy, neon-noir, alternative-history love letter to old cinema.

As Cinematique began taking shape, he personally worked on the rooms, filling them with props, vintage furniture and carefully arranged details. Cinematique is packed with original movie-poster prints displayed throughout the hotel, locally sourced through a nearby seller to add another layer of character to the space.

According to Cinematique's backstory, the building once housed a Thai-American film studio founded in 1967, producing bilingual melodramas, ghost films, jungle adventures and spy thrillers before mysteriously closing its doors in the 1980s. Costumes, scripts and unfinished reels were supposedly left behind, with clues to the studio's fate scattered through the rooms.

Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on July 4 that the death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck on June 24 has risen to at least 2,645, with 12,666 people injured and more than 890 aftershocks recorded. The earthquakes caused significant structural damage, destroying 885 buildings and completely collapsing 189 others. Authorities have established 59 temporary shelter camps to accommodate the displaced population. At least 6,462 people have been rescued so far, while international rescue teams numbering 3,305 personnel and 29,567 emergency responders continue intensive rescue and relief operations.

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Phuket – Police have successfully apprehended a fugitive in Phuket who evaded justice for nearly 20 years in a high-profile wife murder case. Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) arrested 65-year-old Mr. Sawai on Sri Suthat Road in Phuket Town, following a meticulous investigation that traced his movements across multiple provinces. He was wanted […] Two-Decade Manhunt for Jealous Gunman Ends as Fugitive is Arrested in Phuket After Killing Wife -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket – Phuket provincial officials have stepped up their campaign against narcotics as part of the Ministry of Interior’s nationwide “Operation 90 Days,” resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of illegal substances in Muang District. On the evening of July 3rd, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a special task force from Muang […] Phuket Authorities Intensify Drug Crackdown Under “Operation 90 Days” -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Baem Pailin Vongsa has been crowned Miss Universe Maha Sarakham 2026 and will represent the province at the Miss Universe Thailand 2026 competition. The grand finale of the Miss Universe Sakon Nakhon and Maha Sarakham 2026 pageant was held at the Imperial Hotel Sakon, drawing excitement from beauty pageant fans and distinguished guests. Baem was selected by judges after competing against Foam Kanasanan Chankrajchuang (first runner-up) and Inging Wichayada Chatthurawat (second runner-up). Meanwhile, in the separate Miss Universe Sakon Nakhon 2026 competition, Ombell Namreuthai Sodsorn won the crown, with Lacta Ponnapa Pothiya taking first runner-up and Model Ratchanigorn Penginthon in second place. Notably, Baem was previously disqualified from the Miss Universe Khon Kaen 2026 pageant for registering in another province's competition without prior notification to the Khon Kaen pageant organizers, which violated the contestant agreement terms.

The multi-day tournament reaches its climax in the final 18 holes at Riverdale Golf Club, transforming a seemingly simple course into a battleground of pressure. The prize is not merely victory but the chance to engrave one's name on the Queen's Cup, presented by Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudha, the highest honor all Thai golfers aspire to claim.

Leader Ekaphittha Hvu Holds 3-Stroke Lead Ekaphittha currently leads with a scorching 19 under par, three strokes ahead of second place. Though holding a comfortable lead, golf offers no guarantees. The 27-year-old stays grounded, focusing on fundamentals rather than worrying about scores. "I'm sticking to my routine," Ekaphittha said. "Eating well, getting good sleep if possible. Just having fun with the game is enough." His strategy for tomorrow emphasizes solid tee shots to position himself for scoring opportunities.

Chaser Jes-Atiwichakun Three Strokes Behind Jes-Atiwichakun trails by three strokes but maintains composure as the chaser. His consistent play and composed demeanor turn pressure into advantage. "Being in second place feels less stressful," Jes noted. "We have nothing to lose, so I'll give my full effort." He plans to stick rigidly to his game plan, utilizing statistical analysis to protect scores while remaining aggressive on the greens.

Dark Horse Edda-Noprat Poised to Strike Ranked third, 13 under par, Edda-Noprat trails by six strokes but showed impressive form in round three with five under par, including six birdies. Though the gap appears wide, his recent strong play positions him as a potential surprise contender for the championship.