Exploring The Deserted Mansions Of Bangkok

By Danny Baggott @Dan_Baggie

EERIE abandoned mansion houses remain untouched in Bangkok ghost town

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The abandoned mansions have been left to rot since the financial crisis in 1997

The remnants of deserted condominium housing and office towers can still be found throughout Thailand from the 1997 financial collapse in Asia.

Technology teacher Dax Ward visited Nakhon Pathom, just outside of Bangkok, in July and August this year to photograph the deteriorating buildings that once housed the rich.

Technology teacher Dax Ward managed to photograph the eerie buildings earlier this year

Dax said: “The houses are certainly more dilapidated than they once were, but are in fair condition considering that they have been sitting around in the tropical climate for nearly 20 years without much upkeep.

From time to time, two families live in the mansions free of charge

“They do still seem to have all of the original wooden doors and windows, which could have easily been stolen or taken away for scrap, but most of them still remain.

Dax was on edge when he first approached the mansions as the atmosphere felt dead

“They are easily noticeable from the road as they are very distinctive from the greenery of the surrounding countryside.”

Two of the buildings that Dax photographed still house families, with the company that owns the site providing them with electricity and water for free.

The families were very welcoming and made Dax feel at ease

“The people currently living there are allowed to do so as long as they look after the place,” Dax said.

“The locations that are left abandoned are looked after by people of limited financial means, who are able to house themselves and family for free as long as they make sure the property is not damaged or trespassed by outsiders.

The surrounding areas of Nakhon Pathom are often described as a ghost town

“There are two families, with a total of 10 people, living there in two of the structures, while the other three, including the largest mansion with a pool in the back, are completely abandoned.”

There are many abandoned buildings throughout Thailand

Whilst Dax was slightly on edge with the nature of the rotting mansions, the residential families soon eased his concerns with their friendliness.

He said: “The people there are very kind and welcoming, which is true of many friendly ‘everyday’ people that I meet in rural areas across Thailand. They were welcoming to us and happy to have a chat.

Dax was mainly concerned with the snakes in the area

“The initial appearance of the multiple decaying mansions may give you a sense of being in a ‘ghost town’ or haunted space.

“It was eerily quiet and the atmosphere in the uninhabited areas was a little creepy, but I was certainly more worried about snakes than anything else.”