HONG KONG – Profits leaped by 76% at Major Cineplex, Thailand's largest cinema operator.

Revenues in the year to December 2007 grew by 26% to Baht 6.59 billion ($221 million) and net profits soared from $23.3 million to $41.1 million.

Overall admissions at Major's turnstiles grew by 15%, with local Thai films growing to 50% of admissions, up from 40%. Company points to success of big-budget, two-parter "King Naresuan" as well as "Bodyguard," "Teng Nhong," "May-na-rok," and Ponglang-sa-ding," as significant contributors.

"Strong admissions sales growth is an excellent catalyst for much stronger growth in higher-margin businesses: concessions and advertising services," company said. Both sectors saw revenues grow more than 30%.

Major said that its expansion into Thailand's provincial regions and its move further into movie distribution following a recent deal with Internet player Traffic Corner will propel the company forward. It plans to open 51 news screens in the next 18 months, half of which will be in the provinces.