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
The Back Route to Pai
Abandoned Angkor Wat style building
Mae Khachan – (GPS: 19.1159433,99.4631594)
This Khmer-style/Angkor Wat building is an unusual sight, as it just comes out of nowhere along the main R118 to Chiang Rai, at Mae Khachan Hot Springs.I have seen it many times over the years and decided to go inside and investigate.
Seems it was meant to become a luxury spa of some kind, as it has many fittings and fixtures relating to a spa (such as stone baths / Jacuzzi and showers).
Seems a pity to see it deteriorate over the years, but I guess, like many buildings in Thailand, funding ran out (or maybe stems as far back as the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Not sure).
Airplane Graveyard
Location HERE
Creepy Abandoned “Magic Land” building
Location HERE
Some time back I came across this creepy looking building and so took a look inside. Some very strange items inside left behind from the days that it was a Magic Show venue. After posting how it looked during the daytime (video above) on my FACEBOOK PAGE I was given the challenge of visiting the building at night. I took the challenge up and below is the LIVE recording of how the building looks at night.
Abandoned Resort
Ban Pong. (Start of position HERE. Take the left turn up and follow the path.)
*NOTE* I need to check if this building is still abandoned or not.
(Current GPS location is not accurate for this one, as google maps does not map it. At some point I will go back and get the exact GPS location. )
This resort appeared on the mountain side as I was exploring around the Ban Pong area.
At first I wasn’t sure if it was abandoned, because there were clean tools and fresh bags of concrete lying about.I figured maybe it was still under (slow) construction. However, I have since visited a couple of times (as much as a year later) and no progress has been made on the building and still seems to be left to nature.It looks as thought this would have been quite a stunning resort when completed, with a wonderful view to enjoy.
At first I wasn’t sure if it was abandoned, because there were clean tools and fresh bags of concrete lying about.I figured maybe it was still under (slow) construction. However, I have since visited a couple of times (as much as a year later) and no progress has been made on the building and still seems to be left to nature.It looks as thought this would have been quite a stunning resort when completed, with a wonderful view to enjoy.
Stunning House on a Pineapple Plantation
(GPS: 19.6525,99.4566666666667)
Just off the R109, Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai
UPDATE 2021
The status of the following buildings has changed
Condo 9
San Sai (GPS: 18.890712, 99.092600) – *Update* this condo is now being renovated – see updated images below
This condo is a huge multi-story building in the San Sai area of Chiang Mai.
It is quite a dramatic sight due to the surrounding buildings being much smaller in height. This huge multi-story condo emerges out of nowhere towering above them all.
It has quite a spooky feel about it (as most abandoned buildings do really) and looks as though quite a hefty investment went into it. There are hundreds of rooms, which look as though they would have been quite lovely when fully completed.
Lots of graffiti around and open elevator shafts, plus a seriously muggy swimming pool (which seems to have pond life). There are floor to ceiling limb crushing drops, so be very careful if visiting.
Also a lot of missing balconies and open stairwells, so not the best place to visit if you suffer from vertigo.
*Update 2020: After so many years of being abandoned this condo is now being renovated!*
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.