10 Abandoned Places in Thailand To Explore Forgotten History

In a land known for its vibrant cities, golden temples, and bustling markets, there exists another side of Thailand—one that whispers stories of the past through its crumbling walls and silent structures. As the country has transformed, some places have been left behind, frozen in time, their grandeur and purpose now lost in a maze of history.

These abandoned sites are more than eerie destinations; they are echoes of ambition, resilience, and sometimes heartbreak, caught in the web of Thailand’s rapid growth and change.

Each forgotten building, be it a derelict skyscraper or an overgrown palace, holds within its bones the remnants of a dream, a life, or a way of being that has since faded into obscurity. To wander through these ruins is to step back into a moment when these places thrived, only to watch as time slowly took them back.

For the curious traveler and the fearless explorer, these locations offer a view into the past and provoke a sense of wonder for what was—and what remains. Dive into the hidden side of Thailand, where stories untold are just waiting to be found.

Sathorn Unique Tower (Ghost Tower)

The Sathorn Unique Tower, commonly known as the Ghost Tower, was an ambitious high-rise project halted during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. This 49-story skeleton looms over Bangkok’s skyline, attracting urban explorers and photographers with its unfinished structure and the eerie feeling of dreams left behind.

Although officially closed to the public, the Ghost Tower remains a symbol of the financial collapse that left many such projects in limbo.

• Location: Sathorn District, Bangkok
• Access: Closed to the public for safety, but urban explorers still manage to sneak in for a glimpse.

Old Phuket Tin Mines

Once the backbone of Phuket’s economy, the Old Tin Mines reflect the island’s industrial past before it became a tourist hotspot. The tin mining industry peaked in the early 20th century but declined in the 1980s.

Now, sites such as the Kathu Tin Mine and other abandoned structures stand as a reminder of this forgotten era. You can explore the Phuket Mining Museum for a deeper understanding of the tin industry’s history.

• Location: Kathu, Phuket
• Access: Public, with some parts integrated into the Phuket Mining Museum.
  

Phuket Mining Museum

ADDRESS AND CONTACT NUMBER
Kathy Sub – District, Krathu District, Phuket, 83120 Kathu Kathu Phuket 83120
Telephone : 076-510 115 / 076-321 073 / 088 – 766 0962-3
Website : http://www.kathucity.go.th
Email : phuketmining2010@gmail.com, info@kathucity.go.th

OPERATING HOURS
Open daily at 09.00 am – 04.00 pm.

ADMISSION FEE
Admission fee for the following:
Thai Citizen 50 Bath per person.
Children 20 Bath per person.
Foreigners 100 Bath per person.

New World Mall

Once a bustling shopping mall in Bangkok, the New World Mall was abandoned after it was discovered that several upper floors had been illegally constructed. Today, its most iconic feature is the flooded basement that has become home to a bizarre collection of fish.

Although the building has been sealed off due to safety concerns, it’s a famous urban legend, known for its “accidental aquarium.”

• Location: Banglamphu, Bangkok
• Access: Sealed off, but its exterior still attracts curious visitors.

Airplane Graveyard

Bangkok’s Airplane Graveyard is an intriguing site where you can explore decommissioned aircraft, including a Boeing 747 and McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jets. Initially brought in for a failed business venture, the planes now lie abandoned, their interiors scavenged. Families live on the land and charge a small fee to visitors for entry.

• Location: Ramkhamhaeng Road, Bangkok
• Access: Entry through payment to local residents.

The Old Customs House

Dating back to 1888, the Old Customs House on the banks of the Chao Phraya River is one of Bangkok’s most atmospheric abandoned sites. Once the epicenter of trade control in the city, it has since been overtaken by the relentless pace of modernization, leaving the colonial-era building in a state of decay. Its derelict beauty and riverside location make it a favorite for photographers.

• Location: Charoen Krung Soi 36, Bangkok
• Access: Public access is limited, but it’s a popular photography spot.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace (Khao Wang)

Often referred to as the Ghost Palace, Phra Nakhon Khiri was once a royal palace complex built in the 19th century on a hill overlooking Phetchaburi. While parts of it remain well-preserved as a museum, other sections of the palace have been left to decay, with crumbling walls and overgrown courtyards adding to its mysterious allure.

• Location: Phetchaburi Province
• Access: Open to visitors as part of the Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park.

Abandoned Batman Disco

The Batman Disco, an iconic nightclub from Pattaya’s golden era in the 1990s, was one of the city’s top entertainment spots. After a series of fires and mismanagement, the club was abandoned and left in ruins. Today, its dilapidated remains stand as a reminder of Pattaya’s glitzy yet transient nightlife scene.

• Location: Pattaya, Chonburi
• Access: Public, but safety hazards mean exploring the interior is not advised.

Abandoned Trains

Near Mahachai in Samut Sakhon, abandoned train carriages have been left to rust on disused tracks, slowly being reclaimed by nature. These trains offer a haunting yet picturesque view of Thailand’s past transportation infrastructure and are a favorite among photographers looking for unique subjects.

• Location: Mahachai, Samut Sakhon
• Access: Public, but off-the-beaten-path.

Abandoned Cinema

The Petch-Siam Cinema in Sukhothai stands as a monument to the golden age of Thai cinema. Built during the boom of single-screen theaters in the 1960s, it has since fallen into disuse, with the screen cracked and seats ripped out. Though forgotten by many, it remains a nostalgic trip for movie lovers who remember its former glory.

• Location: Sukhothai
• Access: Exterior access only, as the building is unsafe for entry.

Visting this place without an invitation is strongly discouraged.

Exploring these abandoned places in Thailand allows you to witness the passage of time in a rapidly modernizing country. From industrial ruins to forgotten entertainment complexes, each site tells a story of Thailand’s history, economic changes, and cultural shifts.

They offer a fascinating and unique perspective on Thailand’s past for photographers, historians, and urban explorers.

For additional creepy, abandoned places in Chiang Mai check out Moto Girl Thailand’s post here.