There are many odd and abandoned buildings in the region, but I will be sticking to (what I consider to be) the most interesting ones. Will be adding to this ongoing, when I discover new and interesting buildings as I go along.
Table of Contents
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Important Note: When exploring abandoned buildings, always prioritise safety. Structures may be unstable, with hidden hazards such as weak floors or falling debris. Additionally, many sites are on private property, so be respectful and leave no trace to help preserve these places for others.
1: Airplane Graveyard
Airplane Graveyard near Bo Sang Village: (Location)
Located along Road 1014, approximately 5 kilometres east of Bo Sang village, this privately owned lot features old, decommissioned aeroplanes and their parts.
Visitors can take a small inland path, to discover an almost complete Thai Airways jet, along with turbines, wings, and other aircraft components scattered around the area.
Visitors can take a small inland path to discover an almost complete Thai Airways jet, along with turbines, wings, and other aircraft components scattered around the area.
This unique site offers a fascinating glimpse into aviation history and provides ample opportunities for photography and exploration, making it a noteworthy stop for those visiting the Chiang Mai region.
Note: The area is home to stray dogs that have taken shelter in the aircraft wreckage, so approaching with care is advised.
While the exact history of these aircraft and the owner’s intentions are somewhat shrouded in mystery, some of the planes were acquired with plans to repurpose them into unique venues like bars or cafes. For more of a deep dive into the background of the dumped planes, check out the following video:
Video: History of the Dumped Airplanes
When did the planes first appear? What is the story behind them? Find out more!
Previous Additional Old Videos of the Site
2: Two Billion Baht Kad Suan Kaew Mall
A beloved old mall, that sadly became the victim of modern changes (Location)
*IMPORTANT* – There are now severe penalties imposed on anyone caught on the premises. It is NOT recommended to enter the complex. Instead, enjoy the following images, info, and video of the interior.
Opened in the early 1990s, covering an area of approximately 250,000 square metres, Kad Suan Kaew was Chiang Mai’s first major shopping mall.
It was a bustling centre filled with shops, cinemas, a bowling alley, and even a rooftop swimming pool. Over the years, it hosted concerts, cultural events, and community gatherings, making it a beloved part of the city’s social fabric.
However, as newer malls like Central Festival and Maya Mall emerged, Kad Suan Kaew struggled to keep up with modern retail trends. Its outdated design and declining foot traffic led to a slow but steady downturn.
By 2023, much of the mall had become eerily quiet, leaving behind empty shop spaces. Finally, in early 2024, the official announcement came: Kad Suan Kaew would close permanently. The last remaining tenants vacated, marking the end of an era for Chiang Mai residents who had fond memories of the once-thriving mall.
While the mall is now shuttered and vacated, the property remains maintained.
Some sections still house expensive items, such as musical instruments.
Additionally, the main elevators are still in operation.
The future of the complex.
There are talks of redevelopment. Reports suggest that the owners intend to transform the space, rather than bulldoze it. So hopefully, the unique architecture may be repurposed, preserving some of its nostalgic charm. It would be nice if that included the fantastic murals which line the carpark walls.
Video: Interior & History of Abandoned KSK Mall
Background info, comparison footage and interior of the abandoned mall.
3: The “Angkor Wat” of Mae Kachan
Abandoned Angkor Wat building in Mae Kachan. (Location)
The exact construction date of this abandoned Angkor Wat-themed spa near Mae Kachan Hot Springs is not definitively documented. However, available information suggests that construction began in the late 1990s.
The project was intended to be a luxurious spa complex featuring stone baths, Jacuzzis, and showers, all designed in the Khmer architectural style reminiscent of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temples.
However, the project faced financial difficulties (most probably linked to the 1997 Asian financial crisis) and was never completed. As a result, the partially constructed buildings were abandoned and have since fallen into disrepair.
The building’s lower levels are constructed from stone and concrete, and although abandoned, the site has largely remained untouched by vandalism or graffiti, preserving much of its original aesthetic and structural integrity.
Visitors of the nearby Mae Kachan Hot Springs remain a popular spot for relaxation—offering amenities such as foot-soaking pools, food stalls, and souvenir shops, whilst the Angkor Wat-themed ruins serve as a stark reminder of one of the many halted developments during the Asian Financial Crisis.
It’s important to note that while the hot springs are open to the public, the abandoned spa structures are on private property, and access may be restricted. Visitors should exercise caution and respect any posted signs or barriers when exploring the area. Additionally, the building may be structurally unstable.
Video: Interior of Angkor Wat-Themed Building
Since this video, the main building’s interior has been boarded up. Despite the poor video quality, it provides a glimpse of the old spa fixtures and fittings.
4: Magic Land Theatre
Strange and spooky “Magic Land” theatre: (Location)
Update: This Area has now been bulldozed.
In May 2015, “Magic Land” opened, providing a fun experience for children.
It appears to have been fairly successful for a couple of years, bringing in crowds of children, often school tour groups.
Posts on social media dropped off in October 2017, indicating the business had collapsed after 2 years of operating. At least at this location, under this name.
Up until 2024, the building remained abandoned, with remnants of its glory days still dotted around the property.
Inside the building, the stage and stacked seating area were intact.
Random props, including balls, masks and shoes, could be seen inside and outside the building.
Considering the length of time it was abandoned, it remained in fairly good shape.
It’s a pity that the area was bulldozed because it was quite wonderfully spooky and interesting.
Video: Magic Land- Day Time
Video: Magic Land- Night Time
After posting the video above on my Facebook Page, I had a request/challenge to visit the building (alone) at night. I took up the challenge, and the result was this LIVE recording below.
5: Ban Pong Resort
Large house/abandoned resort in Ban Pong. (Location)
This resort appeared on the mountainside as I was exploring around the Ban Pong area. Initially, I first spotted the resort in 2015, and it has remained abandoned since. (Last checked in 2023).
It is a rather perplexing place because there does seem to be occasional signs of work going on, due to cement bags and tools lying around. Yet, nothing seems to have progressed with the property.
Over time the resort seems to be becoming engulfed with ivy, weeds and moss.
some care is needed when walking on the site, due to how slippery the moss is.
Note: This is of course private property. Be respectful. Take nothing. Leave nothing.
6: Condo 9
A huge multi-story building in the San Sai area of Chiang Mai. (Location)
Abandoned for many years but oddly, contractors can intermittently be seen on-site.
I first properly looked inside this condo in 2016 and whilst outside, I met a local lady who stated that it had been abandoned for many years already, (and mentioned that it was haunted, so people are scared to enter. Most abandoned places come with the same story, though.)
The massive scale condo complex stands in stark contrast to its surroundings, towering over the much smaller neighbouring buildings.
Rumours suggest that the building contractor may have cut corners during the foundation work, leading to the structure failing its construction survey assessment. As a result, the project was ultimately abandoned, leaving behind this eerie, unfinished shell.
Certainly, a significant investment went into this construction. With hundreds of rooms, it’s easy to imagine how impressive the building might have been had it been fully completed.
Now, graffiti covers the walls, elevator shafts remain exposed, and a stagnant swimming pool—home to murky water and pond life—adds to the unsettling vibe.
Some murky pond life was alive under this thick green sludge…
The building has sheer drop-offs from floor-to-ceiling openings, missing balconies, and open stairwells, making it a hazardous place to explore.
7: Space Roller Rollerdrome
Stunning House on a Pineapple Plantation
(GPS: 19.6525,99.4566666666667)
Just off the R109, Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai
Burned out Ancient Car Museum
Mae Hia (*UPDATE* – this area has been cleaned up/moved. )
Falls into the abandoned category because this wasteland area of cars is left open to the public.
There is an official Ancient Car Museum garage just up from this abandoned area, but with only a few cars now.
I recently found out that this abandoned car lot was once a proud collection of cars.
(The original beauty of the vehicles can also be viewed on GT.Rider forum HERE).
Sadly a fire raged through the museum destroying the amazing vehicles.
Here is a video from 2010 showing how the museum once looked:
An interesting sight in any case, despite the sad story.
Keep in mind that their may be sleeping snakes and other native creatures enjoying resting in the abandoned vehicles and the general area (which is very overgrown).
Also, treat the area with respect as it is most likely not completely abandoned per say, so if you visit, be respectful and respect the possible wildlife inhabitants space.
A couple of notable mentions:
Large abandoned building – Superhighway, Chiang Mai. GPS: 18.7837211,99.0258723
*Update* after many years this famous abandoned building has been knocked down.
(*Edit* – This hotel is called “Poy Luang Hotel” and some good info about the history is here: http://www.chiangmai-then-and-now.com/poy-luang-hotel/
Many thanks to Auke Koopmans in the comments section, for this information)
Vine covered abandoned building – R118 San Pa Pao, Chiang Mai.
GPS: 18.8534201,99.0916861
Will update more as and when I find more interesting buildings on my travels. There are a few others I have seen but did not document.
So..watch this space!
Got any to share? Then drop a comment below!
If you found this post interesting, then you might also like “REMOTE AND INTERESTING TEMPLES“
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In Mae Khachan this is shophouse? lol! I always thought that this is a religious building
OMG///
Haha. Hi! Yes..lol. Well a spa, rather than a shophouse. Funny really, isn’t it !:D
Large abandoned building – Superhighway, Chiang Mai. GPS: 18.7837211,99.0258723 – This started life as a Hotel with a rotating restaurant on top of it. When the hotel closed down it was slated to become a hospital but, as the elevators were not OK for a hospital, they added the inclined ramps on the north side but sometime afterwards the project was abandoned and since then nothing happened. At the moment the site including the building is for sale
The Poy Luang Hotel – more info here: http://www.chiangmai-then-and-now.com/poy-luang-hotel/
Thanks so much for the details. I will amend the post and credit!
Large abandoned building – Superhighway, Chiang Mai. GPS: 18.7837211,99.0258723 – This started life as a Hotel with a rotating restaurant on top of it. When the hotel closed down it was slated to become a hospital but, as the elevators were not OK for a hospital, they added the inclined ramps on the north side but sometime afterwards the project was abandoned and since then nothing happened. At the moment the site including the building is for sale
OK, found some more info about it – the Poy Luang Hotel – http://www.chiangmai-then-and-now.com/poy-luang-hotel/
Brilliant! Thank you!
The site was built over the ancient Lanna cemetery. People had warned the land owner not to built it 40 years ago, but his ego ignored the warning. This hotel was the best elegant hotel back then and the rotating restaurant on top, was a modern unique place that you can see from miles. Anyway, many stories happened during the construction and after it was completed. Few people died during the construction, some fell down, and some died without caused. The old folks told that the place was cursed by the ancient warriors. That’s why no one dare to purchase this location.
Many places or abandons buildings and establishments in Chiang Mai were built over the cemeteries or once used to be an ancient warrior cemeteries. The Lanna old folks are very superstitious, including my parent. Just be careful when you go visit the abandon places.
Very interesting Kyle. Thanks for sharing that info. Spooky really …and quite disrespectful to build on top of cemeteries. I suppose can be hard, with so much land being used for graves…but still, I wouldn’t want to purchase anything or live anywhere on top of a burial area either!
Wow l spent 2 years in Bkk then moved up to Lampang,
I started going to Cnx first and ended up living an hour away, enjoy finding old cars and bits of history around the place
Seen plenty Old and not finished buildings around Bangers even a big horse riding farm on the back road to BangnarTrad
Hi! Glad you found it interesting. I have not spent much time in Bangkok, but I can imagine there are many interesting abandoned buildings. I am sure a lot of unfortunate stories to go along with them too, sadly.