Bangkok’s ‘Ghost Tower’ survives 7.7-magnitude earthquake
The Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-storey building abandoned for over three decades, has gone viral after surviving a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28.
The earthquake, which struck as Myanmar’s strongest in 100 years, sent shockwaves throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, over 1,000 kilometres away from the epicentre. While the tremors caused significant damage, including the collapse of a high-rise building under construction, the Sathorn Unique Tower remained unscathed, leaving many baffled.
Social media exploded with images and comments about the building, questioning how an abandoned structure could withstand such a powerful natural disaster.
“I was visiting Bangkok with my girlfriend, and we were both in awe when we saw it for the first time. We were so intrigued and wanted to know more!” one user shared on Reddit.
Another commented, “I was wondering about that building. Maybe they should retrofit and sell it. Why hasn’t anything been done with it?”
The Sathorn Unique Tower was originally envisioned in the 1990s as a luxury residential and office complex, offering breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River.
Designed as a 49-storey high-rise, the building was set to be a flagship development for the city. However, as construction neared its midpoint, the 1997 Asian financial crisis devastated Thailand’s economy, halting many real estate projects, including the Sathorn Tower, reported VN Express.
As the project was abandoned, the tower’s incomplete and eerie skeletal structure earned it the nickname “Ghost Tower.” Its haunting appearance attracted daredevil tourists and urban explorers eager to glimpse one of Bangkok’s most unique landmarks.
“I paid 200 baht to a security guard to gain access for just 15 minutes,” shared one traveller on Travelfreak.
Renowned travel blogger Jack Morris, with 2.4 million Instagram followers, visited the top floor of the building in 2015.
“Every time I come to Bangkok, I can’t help but climb up this abandoned 49-story building. In my opinion, this is the place with the best view of the city. I love the freedom I feel up there, it’s unlike any other view from a bar on a top floor. Locals call it the ‘Ghost Tower’ because some believe it’s haunted.”
Despite its eerie reputation and abandonment, the Sathorn Unique Tower’s surprising survival in the face of a massive earthquake has captivated people around the world. Could this relic of Bangkok’s troubled past one day be revitalised? Only time will tell.
Latest Thailand News
