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

Talia LakritzAug 1, 2020, 20:12 IST

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.

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

Parts of it are still covered in ads.

A Pepsi ad on the Sathorn Unique. Sakchai Lalit/AP

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

Decorative balconies on the Sathorn Unique. Kittipong Chararoj/Shutterstock

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

Ghost graffiti in the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

It appears even more ghostly at night.

The Ghost Tower at night. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

What's left of the walls is crumbling.

Unfinished brick walls in the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Furnishings that were never installed litter the halls.

Bathtubs in the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

Decorative columns sit in a heap on the floor.

The remains of columns. Sakchai Lalit/AP

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

Some visitors leave their mark with graffiti on the walls.

Graffiti in the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Getting upstairs involves a treacherous climb.

Visitors walks up the fire escape inside the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Dilapidated staircases lead to an equally dilapidated roof.

Graffiti covers the roof of the Sathorn Unique building. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Much of the balcony is overgrown with weeds.

Poles and weeds on the balconies. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

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

The view from the top of the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

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

Graffiti on the roof of the Ghost Tower. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Other inhabited buildings are visible through cement doorways.

Ghost Tower views. Sakchai Lalit/Shutterstock

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'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 not the safest of places.

Looking out on Bangkok from the Sathorn Unique. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

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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