A 49-story skyscraper in Bangkok that was supposed to be a luxury condominium is now completely abandoned — see inside the 'Ghost Tower'

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Talia LakritzAug 1, 2020, 20:12 IST
A 49-story skyscraper in Bangkok that was supposed to be a luxury condominium is now completely abandoned — see inside the 'Ghost Tower'

Visitors on the roof of the Sathorn Unique, also known as the "Ghost Tower," in Bangkok, Thailand.Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

  • The Sathorn Unique skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand, has been abandoned since construction came to a halt after the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
  • It has become a popular destination for urban explorers and tourists, even though entering the building is illegal and dangerous.
  • Much of the structure is crumbling and full of debris, but the roof provides impressive views of Bangkok.

The Sathorn Unique building in Bangkok, Thailand, was supposed to be a luxury condominium.

Instead, it became an eerie, abandoned skyscraper known as the "Ghost Tower," drawing urban explorers from around the world.

The building is surrounded by a fence with signs warning that trespassers will be prosecuted, but that hasn't stopped people whose curiosity gets the better of them.

Take a look inside the 49-story abandoned building in the middle of Bangkok.

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From the outside, the Sathorn Unique skyscraper looks like any other building in Bangkok's skyline.

From the outside, the Sathorn Unique skyscraper looks like any other building in Bangkok's skyline.
The Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok (right). slyellow/Shutterstock

The building sits near the Saphan Taksin BTS skytrain station in Bangkok.

Parts of it are still covered in ads.

Parts of it are still covered in ads.
A Pepsi ad on the Sathorn Unique. Sakchai Lalit/AP

The concrete exterior remains unfinished.

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But construction came to a halt after the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

But construction came to a halt after the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
Decorative balconies on the Sathorn Unique. Kittipong Chararoj/Shutterstock

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, stock markets and currency values in east and southeast Asia plummeted. The event was triggered by the Thai government's decision not to peg the baht to the US dollar, devaluing the currency and causing a chain reaction.

The Sathorn Unique, which had been under construction for seven years, was 80% finished when the crisis hit, according to The Telegraph.

The abandoned skyscraper is now known as the "Ghost Tower."

The abandoned skyscraper is now known as the "Ghost Tower."
Ghost graffiti in the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

The building is said to be haunted — especially the 43rd floor, where the body of a backpacker was found in 2014.

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It appears even more ghostly at night.

It appears even more ghostly at night.
The Ghost Tower at night. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Aside from a few lights, the building is mostly dark and without electricity.

What's left of the walls is crumbling.

What's left of the walls is crumbling.
Unfinished brick walls in the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/AP

What were supposed to be exposed brick walls are nothing but rubble.

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Furnishings that were never installed litter the halls.

Furnishings that were never installed litter the halls.
Bathtubs in the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

Bathtubs sit overturned in the hallways.

Decorative columns sit in a heap on the floor.

Decorative columns sit in a heap on the floor.
The remains of columns. Sakchai Lalit/AP

One can imagine how grand the rooms would be if construction had been completed.

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It's illegal to enter the abandoned building, but that doesn't stop some bold adventurers from visiting.

It's illegal to enter the abandoned building, but that doesn't stop some bold adventurers from visiting.
A visitor walks inside the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Shutterstock

According to TripAdvisor reviews, security guards often stop would-be explorers from entering, but some visitors say they paid them off to gain access.

Some visitors leave their mark with graffiti on the walls.

Some visitors leave their mark with graffiti on the walls.
Graffiti in the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

The above graffiti reads, "This place needs more decorations."

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Getting upstairs involves a treacherous climb.

Getting upstairs involves a treacherous climb.
Visitors walks up the fire escape inside the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

One way to get to the roof is through the fire escape.

Dilapidated staircases lead to an equally dilapidated roof.

Dilapidated staircases lead to an equally dilapidated roof.
Graffiti covers the roof of the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Climb at your own risk.

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Much of the balcony is overgrown with weeds.

Much of the balcony is overgrown with weeds.
Poles and weeds on the balconies. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

Some of the balconies' decorative poles have fallen over.

But it does provide a sweeping view of the Chao Phraya river.

But it does provide a sweeping view of the Chao Phraya river.
The view from the top of the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Just watch where you step.

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There's plenty of graffiti on the roof, too.

There's plenty of graffiti on the roof, too.
Graffiti on the roof of the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Urban explorers who made it to the top of the tower have left their mark.

Other inhabited buildings are visible through cement doorways.

Other inhabited buildings are visible through cement doorways.
Ghost Tower views. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

Other unfinished skyscrapers left over from the 1997 financial crisis have either been torn down or completed, according to Lonely Planet.

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Sathorn Unique was supposed to house luxury condominiums on par with the rest of Bangkok's skyline.

Sathorn Unique was supposed to house luxury condominiums on par with the rest of Bangkok's skyline.
Other buildings in Bangkok. Fabian Acosta/Shutterstock

It was supposed to have 659 residential units and 54 retails, according to Atlas Obscura.

It's become a different kind of attraction, one that draws urban explorers from around the world.

It's become a different kind of attraction, one that draws urban explorers from around the world.
Tourists on top of the Sathorn Unique. Nopkamon Tanayakorn/Shutterstock

It's a risky destination — there are no safety rails.

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It's not the safest of places.

It's not the safest of places.
Looking out on Bangkok from the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

There are also exposed wires, rusty metal, and other hazards.

But the climb certainly does pay off.

But the climb certainly does pay off.
A couple enjoys the sunset on the roof of the Ghost Tower. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
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