Exploration of an Abandoned Skyscraper in Bangkok: The Sathorn Unique Building

The Sathorn Unique is a 49-story building, located in downtown Bangkok, built in 1990. At 80% construction, it was abandoned in 1997 and never completed. Locals insist, the skyscraper is haunted and call it the "Ghost Tower". They sternly instructed me to not enter the building.  Well, I don't believe in ghosts so guess what I did... But more on that later.

The building was meant to be one of Bangkok's most exclusive and luxury residential projects. A skyscraper with 659 residential units and 54 retails, in addition to a spectacular panoramic view of the Chao Phraya river.

The project was designed by Rangsan & Pansit architecture Co., Ltd. Nowadays the building is owned by Doctor Rangsan’s son, who offered to sell the building for 1.800.000.000 Baht ($60 Million USD).

Before you're getting excited now, let me tell you some important things: 

• Entering the Sathorn Unique Building is illegal.
• Climbing to the top is very dangerous.   

I do not recommend entering the Sathorn Unique Building!  But if you are insanely curious like myself, do so at your own risk! People who fear heights should definitely not enter because there are no railings whatsoever to protect you from falling off the building.

The stairways are incredibly dark, without a flash light you will get lost!  It's important to take extra precautions as you walk and beware of where you place your feet. The structure is fragile, there are unsealed shafts and many holes in the floor. Lastly, beware of animals. Some wild dogs stroll around the first floor and they are very aggressive. 

Getting into the building was truly a challenge. The main gate was locked and there was a fence around the whole tower.  But I found a hole in the fence and was able to slip through. Another small climb got me into the lobby area. I discovered something like a tent and a plastic sun bed so I got curious and walked towards it.  Lying there was a woman holding a child in her arms. She looked up at me, showing no sign of surprise that a foreigner would dare enter the building.

I mumbled "hello" and walked towards the stairway that lead up the stairs. She yelled something to stop me so I paused. Then she said I could go a few levels up, but no further since the door was locked. But of course, for a certain amount of money, she would come with me and unlock the door. Now she smiled at me and asked for 1000 Thai Baht ($30 USD). Damn it! Of course I had to bribe her but I wasn't willing to spend too much. I thought "that's kind of a lot for such a small favor of opening a door."

I offered her 100 Baht and smiled back. She shook her head with scorn and walked back to her tent. Then her daughter approached me. "Money! Give money!" She looked at me with sad big brown eyes. Jesus! I opened my backpack and gave her a bottle of juice and a sandwich from Seven Eleven. She took it and walked away, eating my food which was suppose to be my lunch. Awesome.

I decided to not give up so quickly. "Listen..." I said to the lady "I gave your daughter my lunch pack"  as I waved some bills in the air, "and I'm willing to give you 200 Baht. Or I go home and you get nothing. You chose!" Ha, that always works! She sneered at me, then reluctantly grabbed a bunch of keys. I followed her slowly up the stairs and watched her unlock the gate to hell...

The interior atmosphere was daunting. I felt like I was in a set of some horror movie. Decades of rubbish was scattered all over the place. Cables, construction tools, old shoes... It was a huge mess. Open walls showing the building's pipe network. Wires and outlets were left uncovered. The stairs were scary and dangerous. No railings, small, uneven and dark. It was impossible to get up there without a flashlight. 

The apartments in the first 20 or 30 floors seemed almost finished, with installed wooden floors, toilets, bath tubs, plumbing and fire safety systems. After 30 floors it felt like walking through a skeleton. There was a myriad of holes in the floors and the structure seemed very fragile. I had to be cautious where to place my feet every step of the way.

It was an exhausting hike to reach the top: 49 floors, no elevator, 30°C temperature and 90% humidity. Not exactly the perfect conditions to climb a skyscraper. But hell... Is was all worth it! The view from the top of the building was priceless. I kinda felt like I conquered the world. Queen of the city. Goddess of the skies. It was simply amazing.

What a shame that a building, with such a breathtaking panoramic view of Bangkok, remains unfinished.

I highly recommend you, DO NOT enter the Sathorn Unique Building. If you do, you are responsible for your own actions. This article should not be taken as a "Things to do in Bangkok - Guide". OK, enough with this... 

You're old enough!! Don't break any locks! And don't go in the dark!

If you consider going, make sure to bring the following:

- Good Shoes, no flip flops!
- Torch / Headlamp / Flashlight
- Money and food to bribe

- Lots of water and snacks. The trip to the top takes 30-45 min, depending on how fit you are.

Video: Owl Exterminator

Have you been to the Sathorn Unique Building? I would love to hear your story about it. Please let me claim one more time, that I don't want to encourage people to get into the tower or on top of it. It's hell dangerous!

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