Located on the corner of the Bang Lam Phu Intersection, near the famous Khao San Road, New World Mall was a popular shopping destination. Its location in the heart of the city saw to it that access was not an issue. Going by its initial success, few would have predicted the ill fate of this multi-story shopping complex.
What was considered a top commercial establishment drastically became an eerie water-filled ruin riddled with fish, which later did not work out, leading to its eventual abandonment. This article delves deeper into this story, highlighting its history, reasons for abandonment, where the fish came from, and what has become of it now that it is abandoned.
History of New World Mall
Before it became one of Bangkok’s most infamous abandoned sites, New World Mall was envisioned as a modern shopping complex in the Bang Lam Phu district. The mall was the project of a private company that aimed to capitalize on Thailand’s growing urban economy, especially in the area.
New World Mall was the brainchild of Kaew Pooktuanthong of Kaew Fah Shopping Arcade. It was built on land leased from Prince Bhanubandhu Yugala, a renowned Thai film director and producer. The site was one of the most historic commercial developments in Bangkok.
Construction of New World Mall began in 1982 and continued even after the mall opened. At first, it was approved as a four-story structure, consistent with the city codes for commercial structures of medium size. However, in a quest to add more retail space and make more money, the developers illegally added seven more floors, making it eleven stories high.
The unauthorized expansion violated Bangkok’s zoning and building safety regulations, as the area was zoned for high-rise buildings. The top floors were built illegally and without reinforcements, which was, with no doubt, a safety hazard.
As a result, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration denied its request for approval in 1984. They further took legal action against the company involved with New World Mall for their violations. However, the case dragged on, spanning years.
In 1994, the Supreme Court of Thailand ordered the demolition of the unapproved floors, but the owners somehow delayed the action. Instead, they chose to pay a daily fine and went on with their mall operations as usual.
Why Was New World Mall Abandoned?
The New World Mall in Bangkok was abandoned due to illegal construction, safety concerns, and court battles. Approved initially as a four-story building, the developers illegally added seven more floors, making it an eleven-story building. This was an outright disregard of Bangkok’s building codes and zoning laws, as the site was not appropriate for high-rise buildings.
The illegal building led to litigation and government action. In 1994, the Thai Supreme Court ordered the mall shut down due to safety infractions. The court battle continued, and in 2002, the authorities reinforced the order for the demolition of the illegal top seven floors.
This was then delayed because of demolition cost wrangles. In late 2003, the systematic demolition of illegal floors began. Demolition was done while the approved lower four floors continued to be operational.
On June 2, 2004, part of the eighth floor collapsed during demolition. It is said that the rubble from the demolition work had been piled there, causing the collapse. Unfortunately, there were two casualties on the ground floor, one of whom died later. This led to the permanent closure of the mall. Demolition was finished in 2005, leaving the four approved floors to a large extent intact.
With no maintenance, the roof caved in, and monsoon rains poured through the lower floors. The mall ended up completely abandoned.
What Happened to New World Mall After It Was Abandoned?
After its closure and the demolition of its upper floors, New World Mall was left to decay. Its destiny didn’t end there, however. It was transferred into one of Bangkok’s oddest urban legends.
Without maintenance, the collapsed roof allowed monsoon rains to flood the lower levels. The stagnant water turned out to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, creating health concerns. Inhabitants introduced thousands of koi and tilapia fish to control the mosquitoes. The locals also took turns to feed the fish.
In 2011, the mall, in disrepair, had by now become an unintentional urban aquarium that attracted city explorers and curious visitors. Viral images and videos of the mall with fish made the rounds in the 2010s, attracting media attention.
Adventure tourists and photographers began to break in to witness the surreal scene. Local business owners began to offer guided tours of the complex, though it was unsafe and technically off-limits.
In 2015, Bangkok authorities intervened in light of the safety concerns that involved the tours. The water was pumped out, and the fish were taken out to remove any ongoing threat to public health. The mall was stripped, erasing one of Bangkok’s most famous tourist attractions.
The New World Mall building was, after that, used for community events and exhibitions. A perfect example is the 2022 Bangkok Design Week exhibition. There have been discussions of redevelopment, but to this day, the property remains untouched.
New World Mall went from being an illegally constructed shopping complex to an abandoned aquatic oddity before being entirely eradicated from the landscape of Bangkok. Yet its legend continues to fascinate urban explorers and abandoned place enthusiasts worldwide.
Can You Visit New World Mall?
The New World Mall site has been pretty much closed off to the public. The building is still obscure, and several plans have been put in place to restore it as a public space by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, but none have materialized so far.
This plan will take effect at the discretion of the owners as the Yugala family has returned the rights to the land, meaning that it is now privately owned. The building is said to be structurally sound. However, accessing the premises would be considered trespassing and is an offense by law.
With these incidents in mind, the New World Mall is now closed to the public. For anyone curious about its history and fascinating transformation, there are some articles and documentaries online that they could look up.