Mysteries Series: Bangkok’s Ghost Tower

Bangkok’s Ghost Tower (Sathorn Unique) – Photo by The Bangkok Post 

 The Ghost Tower (Sathorn Unique) is an abandoned 90’s (derelict) condominium project that’s home to bats, fowls, weeds, trees, cats and restless spirits for 20 years.

This edifice brings back memories of 90’s bursting Bangkok skyscraper projects. Many property developers made good business back then until a costly mistake happened.

 An over-leveraging government devalued the Thai baht impacting investors’ confidence. It prompted them to pull their money too fast for the country’s economic leaders to react.

This was the the trigger of the huge regional (Asian) financial crisis that followed. Thais call it the “Tom Yum Goong” crash of 1997.

The developer’s personal problems along with the project’s finance companies going bankrupt left this edifice to rot. From being one of the hundreds of promising big construction projects it became a hot spot to thrill-seekers and tourists for a 200 baht entrance. Rooftop parties and tours through unfinished levels became its main attraction.

Its popularity soared when foreign parkour runners posted on the internet their Ghost Tower adventure. Fearing for the safety of thrill-seekers, Pansit Torsuwan – the OIC and son of its architect and property developer Rangsan Torsuwan, closed the stairwells.

 There have been stories of ghouls showing themselves in photographs (and selfies), making strange noises and appearing to the security guards in the dead of the night.

People say that it’s built on an ancient cemetery (or a razed cinema) in trying to explain these bizarre apparitions.

And also a foreigner was discovered hanging on the 43rd floor a few years back. His body was found rotting after weeks of being up there. Authorities said he took his own life.

The tower’s appeal lies on the mysteries that surround it and the increasing uncertainty of its fate. To date, it’s still a subject of several legal battles making it impossible to be demolished.

Towering eerily over the Chaopraya river skyline, the Ghost Tower reminds people of a bitter past that we could all learn from.

- See more at: http://awinaway.com/2017/03/02/mysteries-series-bangkoks-ghost-tower/#sthash.vOLh7aDh.dpuf