8 Epic UrbanX Venues – Abandoned in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Province | Place Guide
Forgotten corners of Chiang Mai! This urban exploration guide features 8 eerie and fascinating abandoned buildings. While I share these places for their history and intrigue, I don’t encourage entering. Many are unsafe or on private land. If you go, stay safe, be respectful, and leave no trace.
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Contents
What is UrbanX?
UrbanX (Urban Exploration) is the exploration and photography of abandoned or forgotten buildings and places. It focuses on documenting locations rather than disturbing them.
Is it legal to visit abandoned places in Chiang Mai?
Not always. Many abandoned sites are on private property, and some actively prohibit entry. Always respect signs, barriers, fences, and local laws. Ignore at your own risk.
Is it safe to enter abandoned buildings?
No. Abandoned buildings can contain unstable floors, collapsing roofs, exposed wiring, broken glass, deep holes, and other serious hazards. This guide is intended to showcase these locations, not encourage trespassing.
Can I photograph these locations?
Many of the sites can be photographed from public roads or accessible areas. If you wish to enter private property, it is best to seek permission first, (although, realistically, most do not).
Are all of these places still abandoned?
Not necessarily. Some locations have been demolished, redeveloped, or secured since they were first abandoned. This guide is updated whenever possible, but conditions can change without notice.
Can I visit all of these locations in one day?
Yes, if you’re travelling by motorcycle or car and plan your route carefully. However, allowing multiple days will give you time to explore the surrounding areas as well.
Why don’t you provide exact access instructions?
Many of these places are on private land or have safety concerns. The guide is intended to share their history and interest, not encourage trespassing or unsafe exploration.
What should I take if I plan to visit?
Wear sturdy footwear, carry drinking water, and bring a camera if you enjoy photography. Never force entry, climb unsafe structures, or remove anything from the site.
What is the best way to explore these locations?
Treat them with respect. Leave no trace, avoid causing damage, and remember that many sites have historical or local significance.
Can these places disappear?
Yes. Abandoned buildings are often demolished, renovated, or redeveloped with little warning, which makes UrbanX photography something of a snapshot in time.
1 – The Abandoned Mall
The two-billion Baht Mall in the heart of Chiang Mai, that sadly became the victim of modern changes.*IMPORTANT* – There are now severe penalties imposed on anyone caught on the premises.
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Abandoned Kad Suan Kaew Mall
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.
While the mall is now shuttered and vacated, the property remains maintained.
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.
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 KSK Mall
2 – Magic Land Theatre
The strange and spooky “Magic Land” theatre. Update: Sadly, this area has now been bulldozed.
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Spooky Magic Land Theatre
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.
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.
Videos: Magic Land Day & Night
After posting the video above on my social media, 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.
3 – Dumped Airplanes
Located 17km outside of Chiang Mai City, this privately owned lot features old, decommissioned airplanes and miscellaneous parts. Visitors can take a small dirt path, to discover an almost complete Thai Airways jet, along with turbines, wings, and other aircraft components scattered around the area.
17 KM
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Dumped Airplanes
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.
Occasionally, the planes disappear and new ones turn up. So, expect to see different planes and parts at various times.
If visiting, keep in mind that the location is on private land, so be respectful when visiting. The locals in the area know very little about the planes and access to the land is open.
Also keep in mind that the owner is not responsible for any accident or injury caused, if visiting the site.
Certainly an interesting place to visit!
Note: expect to see grazing cattle at times, also.
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4 – “Angkor Wat”
Abandoned Angkor Wat themed spa that has been slowly decaying since the 1990’s.
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Angkor Spa
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.
This Angkor Wat-themed ruin serves 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: Abandoned Angkor Spa
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5 – Abandoned Luxury Home / Resort
A stunning luxury home or resort overlooking a beautiful view.
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Abandoned Luxury Home/Resort
I first spotted the resort in 2015, and it has remained abandoned since. (Last checked in 2025).
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.
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6 – Abandoned Condo
This condo has been abandoned for decades, but developers intermittently come and go.
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From City
27 Min
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Huge Condominium
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.
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7 – Abandoned Roller Rink
The Forgotten Roller Disco of Chiang Mai that was once a buzzing centre of fun in Chiang Mai.
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Roller Rink
Built in the early 1990s, this massive dome-shaped roller rink quickly became Northern Thailand’s premier skating destination, drawing families, teenagers, and roller disco enthusiasts.
The rink was a vibrant part of the community. However, in the late 1990s, the Asian Financial Crisis hit, leading to the downfall of many businesses, including the Space Roller Rink. Despite its past popularity, the venue struggled to compete with newer entertainment options in Chiang Mai and by the early 2000s, it was shuttered, leaving only memories behind.
Today, the rink sits abandoned and eerily quiet, with only layers of graffiti and broken windows to mark its past. The once-smooth wooden floors are now warped, and the air is heavy with silence.
Some say the rink is haunted, and locals have reported seeing figures gliding across the floor at night.
Though the rink is now abandoned, there are still signs of life in the form of homeless residents who have taken refuge in its vast interior. The contrast between its lively past and the current state of decay is striking. It’s a sad reminder of how quickly time moves on and how some places are forgotten, only to be reclaimed by others who need them most.
The Future of the Space Roller Rink. There are no clear plans for redevelopment at this time. As it stands, the Space Roller Rink remains a hauntingly eerie relic of a bygone era. Whether it will be left to continue deteriorating or transformed into something new remains uncertain.
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8 – Abandoned Luxury Village
This incredible abandoned village complex spreads out across approximately 550,000 Rai/ 140 Acres!
17 KM
From City
30 Min
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Luxury Village
When I spotted this village entrance, I had no idea of the huge complex that stretched out beyond it.
As I rode in, I could see there were multiple stunning homes set within large surrounding gardens, some surrounded by man-made lake developments.
The complex also has community areas, set up with restaurants and gyms.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any information about this village anywhere, even in Thai language.
The private road continues on and on, and splits off into separate sections, with some homes having their own long driveway.
Some of the long driveways lead to plateaus, where a home was intended to be built, but never materialised.
The investment has certainly been significant, but I have no idea when or why the development was halted.
I can only assume some kind of lack of funding caused it to be frozen in time. Maybe a new investor will rescue it one day.
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I hope you enjoyed this Chiang Mai UrbanX Guide.
Leave a comment!
18.7837211,99.0258723
This building is very interesting! I’ve heard it was abandoned and then some people tried to make a cannabis hotel concept but it was too big to make it work, if someone have more info?
Hi Luis. Which building? I’d love to know which one and then I will see if I can do more digging. Thanks for adding more detail!
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.