Ghost Tower Defies Odds: Bangkok's Abandoned Icon Survives Quake

[snoop1130]

File photo.

 

The Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-storey structure left in limbo for over thirty years, has become an unexpected symbol of resilience. Surviving a dramatic 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, it remains intact despite shockwaves striking regions as far as Bangkok, located over 1,000 kilometres from the epicentre.

 

While the tremors wreaked havoc, including the collapse of a building under construction in the city, the Ghost Tower stands unmarked, sparking global intrigue.

 

Originally conceived as a luxurious hub overlooking the Chao Phraya River, the tower fell victim to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which halted its development.

 

Since then, it became infamous as an eerie landmark, drawing thrill-seekers and urban explorers alike. Social media now burns with speculation, as users express amazement at its endurance and ask why the structure hasn't seen revitalisation.

 

 

 

 

The tower, dubbed the "Ghost Tower", surprised many by withstanding a disaster that wasn't as kind to other constructions. The building's survival raises questions about its structural integrity, leading some to wonder if it might finally see completion.

 

For now, it remains a haunting reminder of Bangkok's past, standing tall against nature's wrath. Only future endeavours will determine if this curious relic might rise from its long shadow, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

-- 2025-04-04

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

 

55 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-storey structure left in limbo for over thirty years, has become an unexpected symbol of resilience.

 

Less corruption at the higher levels back in those days?

[JoePai]

Maybe the Chinese did not have a hand in building it........ ?

[ikke1959]

That was in the good old days, nowadays it is greed, low cost and inferior materials

[Harsh Jones]

9 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

Less corruption at the higher levels back in those days?

Today's corruption is nothing compared to the corruption back then. This must be a joke 

[Harsh Jones]

Anyway this building must have used only the finest rebar available in the world , from the smelters in Stuttgart.

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-storey structure left in limbo for over thirty years, has become an unexpected symbol of resilience. Surviving a dramatic 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, it remains intact despite shockwaves striking regions as far as Bangkok, located over 1,000 kilometres from the epicentre.

Chinese had nothing to with it, I wonder if that's the reason ?

[Ironmike]

Maybe they should finish it,, it looked to be something nice but Don't use Chinese company or it will fall down

[kwan]

This building survived earthquake.  .  . so did a 1001 others in Bangkok ! A non-story !

[kingstonkid]

The reason it did not get finished is they charged the owner of the company with trying to kill a senir judge.  

 

Financing was the main issue then and you have to wonder with the vacancy rates now whether financing would still be an issue.

 

It is in a great location so it will be interestingtosee if anyone makes a dealwith the family that owns it.

[Homburg]

It's an outdated 30 year old building, with the internal surfaces having been exposed to the elements throughout that time. It's junk. The owners(???) were probably hoping it would fall down and save the cost of demolition, so they could start building something more up to date.

[ronster]

Odd it was never sold on for someone to finish it . Better to lose a few million than tens of millions from it just sitting there.

Pretty sure now it wouldn't be viable or possible to complete it as the structure has been open to the elements for years making the concrete etc damaged.

[cookie1974]

I wonder how much building safety certificates will be changing hands for in the immediate future?

[Classic Ray]

Maybe it could be sold to the State Audit Office as their new HQ, kill two birds with one stone.

[kiwikeith]

28 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

The reason it did not get finished is they charged the owner of the company with trying to kill a senir judge.  

 

Financing was the main issue then and you have to wonder with the vacancy rates now whether financing would still be an issue.

 

It is in a great location so it will be interestingtosee if anyone makes a dealwith the family that owns it.

You can have it when the tax losses run out 

[kingstonkid]

3 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

You can have it when the tax losses run out 

 

I think it is more than that although it could be the companies that hold the eans were looking for a buyer that would pay them the amount they spent. 

 

I think that most comanies want their own buldings  

 

Thihs would have been a great location for a hotel condo deal 

[black tabby12345]

Do they have no idea to use it as the replacement of the crumbled half-built 30-storey building?

 

Surviving that quake, well demonstrating its strength though.

[Packer]

29 minutes ago, ronster said:

Odd it was never sold on for someone to finish it .

 

There are hundred of owners, they still legally own a % of the property, the majority refuse to sell as the land and property increases in value. 

 

Source: Somchai the Motorcycle Taxi Driver. 

[Nairbem]

43 minutes ago, Packer said:

 

There are hundred of owners, they still legally own a % of the property, the majority refuse to sell as the land and property increases in value. 

 

Source: Somchai the Motorcycle Taxi Driver. 

Somchai probably still paying interest only on 90 yr loan at 23% ?

[Nid_Noi]

1 hour ago, Ironmike said:

Maybe they should finish it,, it looked to be something nice but Don't use Chinese company or it will fall down

All the top floors have been opened to the rain for almost 30 years. I can imagine the waterfalls down the staircases and elevators shafts during the monsoon season.

The humidity in the concrete of the lower floors and basements must be constant whatever the climate outside.

I would love to see the rust “leached out” of the structure.

[Cat Boy]

The ill-fated would-be audit administration building in Chatuchuck collapsed as a direct result of gross negligence in construction, the earthquake merely triggered what would have likely happened in due course anyway, albeit with even greater loss of life and injury.

Numerous other ongoing buildings under construction in Bangkok suffered no damage whatsoever.

The so-called "Ghost Tower" has survived since construction was halted after the "Asian Tigers" financial crisis of 1997, as a direct result of the presence of preternatural forces within it that have kept both the building, Bangkok, and its inhabitants safe all these years hence - just kidding.

The core construction on that building was entirely finished with just the interior work, glass and finishing touches remaining, and there's no reason it would collapse this soon, although if you've seen the documentary "Earth after humans", in a few hundred years unattended, who knows.

With that said, now is certainly a time for inspections there and elsewhere, a reassessment of vulnerability, regulation and enforcement. Still, having worked prior to retirement in disaster response, I'm very much impressed with the absence of significant damage from this earthquake and the abundance of caution in the days following.

Yes, the emergency notification mechanism was delayed, and this is, similarly, an opportunity to improve on that.

[Packer]

7 minutes ago, Nairbem said:

Somchai probably still paying interest only on 90 yr loan at 23% ?

 

More likely bought with cash from ill gotten gains. 

 

Like the dozen separate rows of townhouses near here that were built 10 years ago put up for sale at astronomical prices and have sat empty since, instead of renting out for 20k per month each, 100k for the row of 5, 12 million in lost rents over the last decade, there they sit refusing to rent or lower the purchase price. More money than sense. 

[ujayujay]

17 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

Less corruption at the higher levels back in those days?

[factual monk]

Because of ghosts only... 

[Peterphuket]

4 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

Anyway this building must have used only the finest rebar available in the world , from the smelters in Stuttgart.

LOL, we have a German on board.

[Kaopad999]

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

That was in the good old days, nowadays it is greed, low cost and inferior materials

BS

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Do they have no idea to use it as the replacement of the crumbled half-built 30-storey building?

The government would have to buy it first!

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, Cat Boy said:

The ill-fated would-be audit administration building in Chatuchuck collapsed as a direct result of gross negligence in construction

Did it? Where was the result of that investigation published?

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, Packer said:

More likely bought with cash from ill gotten gains. 

From which musty orifice did you pull that bizarre gem?

[Cat Boy]

29 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Did it? Where was the result of that investigation published?

Its only been a week, the site investigation remains underway. 

 

Substandard rebar has been already been sited. 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/substandard-steel-bars-used-in-bangkok-skyscraper-that-collapsed-during-earthquake-says-thai-officials/ar-AA1C7lc6