Bangkok to get 459-metre city observation tower

[webfact]

Bangkok to get 459-metre city observation tower

By The Chao Phraya River Tourism Association

 

Bangkok Observation Tower

 

Observation Tower to be new city landmark on the Chao Phraya River

 

BANGKOK, /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand's capital is to get its first city observation. A 459-metre-high tower will rank 6th among the world's tallest towers as well as be the tallest observation tower in Southeast Asia.

 

The tower is being jointly built by two foundations, the Bangkok Observation Tower Foundation and the National Identity Foundation, after the Thai cabinet recently gave approval for the country's new landmark project to proceed. The cost of construction, totaling approximately US$138 million is being funded by more than 50 private sector organisations who are contributing to the project.

 

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Bangkok Observation Tower is set on a 6,400 square metre land plot owned by Thailand's Treasury Department and leased to the Bangkok Observation Tower Foundation for 30 years. The Foundation is required to deliver ownership of the tower and all other structures on the land to the Treasury Department when the construction is completed in 2019.

 

The tower has been enthusiastically embraced by Thailand's tourism sector as a much-needed addition to the nation's tourist-pulling attractions and as a catalyst to investment and employment in the sector.

 

Mr. Ittirith Kinglake, President, Tourism Council of Thailand, said, "The tower is the most important new addition to Bangkok's rich array of tourism magnets and one that will attract people from around the world.  The Bangkok Observation Tower helps mark our city as one of the world's most important and exciting destinations."

 

He cited parallels with the Tokyo Skytree and Shanghai's Canton Tower as powerful tourism drivers for their host city. 

 

"There were 32.6 million visitors to Thailand in 2016 who, together, spent almost 72 billion dollars.  In 2020, the number of visitors to Thailand is expected to increase to be 41.5 million visitors.   Tourism has consistently been one of our country's most important revenue sources and accounts for 17.7% of GDP. The coming of the tower will act as significant tourism drivers for the country." Mr. Ittirith said.

 

He added that tourism is also one of the biggest employers of the country and creates employment for around 4.2 million people.

 

Cdr. Parinya Ruckwatin Rtn., Chairman of the Chao Phraya River Tourism Association, said, "The Bangkok Observation Tower's riverside location will reignite interest in the river and accelerate efforts to make the river a clean, safe and natural corridor that is lined with historical and culturally significant landmarks, from every era, and which act as enduring testaments to the endeavours of our nation."

 

"I am confident that with the arrival of the tower, businesses stretching for 10 kilometers along the length of the river will benefit, including boat operators, restaurants, hotels, retailers and convention organisers. We can also expect improvements of more than 10 piers along the river to make them safer and easier to use. It's a true historic turning point for this part of the river.  Chao Phraya River will become one of the world's exciting new destinations, offering a diverse range of experiences that will meet a great variety of needs of visitors." he added.

 

Local residents in the vicinity of the tower have been very welcoming of the initiative, believing it will lift interest in their communities, creating new employment and boosting their livelihoods.

 

Mrs. 'Granny' Tim Somsong Somsuk, said, "Our Suvarnabhumi Mosque community located on the Thonburi side of the river had always been a place of historic importance and then it slipped into obscurity and neglect.  The Bangkok Observation Tower will help regenerate our community and re-establish its prestige as a place of historic significance."

 

This location in Klongsarn District is reputedly the historic site on which a flag would be flown, several centuries ago, as a symbolic marker to foreign vessels navigating the river to tell them that they were in Siamese territory.

 

She added that the building of the private sector sponsored "Golden Line" mass transit rail line that runs in front of the community and the observation tower was also a factor that would enhance the community's fortunes.

 

An unprecedented array of Thailand's foremost architectural and engineering firms as well as architectural experts came together to design the tower in a show of national solidarity.

 

Inspiration for the candle-like design of the Bangkok Observation Tower is drawn from the popular celebratory tradition, observed by millions around the country, of lighting candles on the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a symbolic gesture of lighting up the country with prosperity.

 

The Bangkok Observation Tower Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that has the right to operate and manage the tower for 30 years.  There is no commercial space for rent inside the tower.  The space inside the tower will be used for educational purpose promoting Thailand'shistorical and cultural heritage as well as various aspects of particular pride from Thailand's 77 provinces. The surplus from income generated from ticket sells and other sources will be used for social causes that benefit the local community or for charities only.

 

-- The Chao Phraya River Tourism Association 2017-09-13

[ThaidDown]

Quote

tallest observation tower in Southeast Asia.

Good news... at last a serious attempt to locate Yingluk and "Boss".

 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

[George Bowman]

...There is no commercial space for rent inside the tower.

 

If only gambling was legal and I was a bookie.

 

Edited September 13, 2017 by missoura

[VocalNeal]

7 minutes ago, missoura said:

...There is no commercial space for rent inside the tower.

Cheaper to build?

[Thechook]

The elite bangkokians surging,  wouldn't looking after the poor be a better idea

[Thechook]

1 minute ago, Thechook said:

The elite bangkokians splurging,  wouldn't looking after the poor be a better idea

 

 

[edwinchester]

Hopefully more than just wishful thinking like the Chiang Rai flagpole was.

[ExpatOilWorker]

1 hour ago, Thechook said:

1 hour ago, Thechook said:

The elite bangkokians surging,  wouldn't looking after the poor be a better idea

 

To be fair, the current government are providing many towers for the poor.

[zaphod reborn]

I hope they dispense with the light beam aimed at the sky, except for special occasions.  The lesson from the Luxor in Las Vegas is that the resulting light pollution was an overwhelmingly negative consequence of such stupidity.

[harada]

The northern farmers will be able to catch the fast train down and do a bit of sub spotting from the observation deck. 

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

There is no commercial space for rent inside the tower.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

US$138 million is being funded

Taking a wild guess admission would not be free, and that the major revenue will come from visitors, what is the RIO ?  In 2016, 32.6 million visited Bangkok.  If they keep admission to $7.50 and are able to entice 2% of those visiting the city, the net income would be  652,000 x $7.50 = 4,890,000  .  They will have to get the volume, price ratio right and do lots and lots of marketing to pay this off within 5-10 years. 

[RichardColeman]

and I'm guess that the bottom 10 floor will come with an aqua-dome for future underwater viewing as Bangkok floods. 

[KIWIBATCH]

There was an article in T.V. a few months ago that "foreigners" would be charged 750b and the local Thais 80b for access to the tower.

In the same article a Thai opponent of the  tower suggested ..."Bangkok was better seen (and experienced) from street level...and what foreigners would want to pay 750b to go and view the constant blanket of air pollution that hangs over the city..."

 

At US$138 Million to build plus the brown envelopes....wouldn't the money be better spent a mere 3km's downstream from the proposed tower site....where the stop banks on the Chao Phraya ' are not high enough to stop folks home's  and businesses being constantly flooded out...??

[Oxx]

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

If they keep admission to $7.50

 

It's been reported in the press that the admission fee will be 750 baht for foreigners and 375 baht for Thais.

[yellowboat]

Just now, Oxx said:

 

It's been reported in the press that the admission fee will be 750 baht for foreigners and 375 baht for Thais.

Maybe the Thais can pay it off themselves then. 

[hansnl]

4 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

To be fair, the current government are providing many towers for the poor.

Where are those towers then?

 

Well, that huge tower is exactly what Thailand need!

Edited September 13, 2017 by hansnl

[Jonmarleesco]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The tower has been enthusiastically embraced by Thailand's tourism sector as a much-needed addition to the nation's tourist-pulling attractions

They seriously think tourists will visit Thailand to see a very tall tower? They're deluded.

[Happy Grumpy]

Well done. There couldn't be a cleaner, nicer city to look down upon. 

[tryasimight]

9 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

It's been reported in the press that the admission fee will be 750 baht for foreigners and 375 baht for Thais.

Yes but the farang price includes a beautifully inscripted genuine certificate of suicide and priority pass to any of the 6 diving boards, so there is never any waiting.

For an extra 500 baht a traditional Thai body bag is available.

The opening special also includes a wai from up to 4 bar girls of your choice as you go to meet your maker (lady drinks not included).

 

My apologies to Big Bambu.

Edited September 13, 2017 by tryasimight

[balo]

It's probably a good idea. But they need a restaurant on the top .  I am willing to pay 100 baht for the entrance.  It should be free really.