Thai Major Cineplex in Indian entertainment jv

NAKHON PATHOM, Thailand, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Major Cineplex <MAJO.BK>, Thailand's largest cinema chain operator, said on Monday it expected to open entertainment centres with Indian joint venture partner PVR Ltd <PVRL.BO> in the fourth quarter of this year.

The venture will set up bowling alleys, karaoke centres, ice skating rinks and gaming zones, and its first overseas venture will be located in the Indian capital, New Dehli, Chief Executive Vicha Poolvaraluck told reporters.

"We'll open in India in the fourth quarter and we'll use about 100 million rupees ($2.3 million) on that," Vicha sai.

PVR will hold 51 percent of the venture, and the Thai firm will hold the remainder. The two firm formed the joint venture in February to set up entertainment zones at PVR's cinemas in India.

Vicha said he was also approached by other cinema operators in Asia about possible joint ventures but declined to give details.

Shares in Major were down 0.79 percent at 12.60 baht at 0917 GMT on Monday, broadly in line with the market. ($1= 34.29 Baht) ($1=44.08 Indian Rupee)

(Reporting by Ploy Chitsomboon; Editing by Alan Raybould)

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