バンコク市内にある廃墟ビル「サトーン・ユニーク」は、1990年代のバブル経済期のタイにおいて、驚くほど豪華な景観を提供する建物になる予定だった。けれども、1997年のアジア通貨危機の影響で、ビルを完成させるために必要な資金は失われた。
現在、49階建ての不気味な「ゴースト・タワー」となったこの建物は、建設当初とは別の意味で人気を集めている。
建物内へ立ち入ることは禁止されているが、遠目に観察するだけでも、その不気味さはじゅうぶん味わえる。ひと気がなく、荒廃した雰囲気をたたえてそびえ立つ灰色の高層ビルの上層階部分は、建設途中の状態のまま残されており、そこを眺めていると、内部の様子に興味が湧いてくる。
地元の人々は、この建物には幽霊が出ると信じているようだが、以下の写真を見れば、その気持ちもわかるだろう。
以下の動画は、「Coconuts TV」取材チームによるサトーン・ユニークビルの内部レポート。
なお、バンコクでは、廃墟ビルの地下がプールとなり、鯉の養殖が行われていることも話題になった（日本語版記事）。「Coconuts Bangkok」の記事によれば、その建物は、1980年代に11階建てビルとして建設された「ニューワールド」だが、1997年に営業を停止。違法建築が発覚して5階以上を取り壊したほか、火災なども生じた結果、天井が無く、雨が入ってくるため地下がプールになっているという。
文末のスライドショーでは、世界各地のさまざまなゴーストタウンを紹介している。
[(English) 日本語版：丸山佳伸/ガリレオ]
Abandoned Towns
St. Elmo, Colorado(01 of44)
Getting there: St. Elmo is in Chaffee County, which sits southwest of Denver. Numerous trails for hiking and off-road driving are easily accessible from town. \n\nCORRECTION: A previous version of this slide stated that St. Elmo is in Gunnison National Forest. (credit:Flickr:Walt Hubis)
Chaco Canyon, New Mexico(02 of44)
Getting there: A 9-mile paved loop road runs through the canyon. (credit:Flickr:Tim Brown Architects)
Bodie, California(03 of44)
Getting there: Bodie is a California Historic State Park, 7 miles south of the town of Bridgeport. (credit:Flickr:nicksarebi)
Humberstone & Santa Laura, Atacama Desert, Chile(04 of44)
Getting there: Humerstone and Santa Laura are close to the town of Pozo Almonte, 30 miles east of Iquique, which is the nearest city with places to stay and an airport. (credit:Flickr:pablo/T)
Bhangarh, Rajasthan, India(05 of44)
Getting there: Bhangarh is 18 miles northeast of Jaipuir. Tours of the haunted city are available. (credit:Flickr:Shahnawaz Sid)
Kayakoy, Anatolia, Turkey(06 of44)
Getting there: Fethiye, approximately 2.5 miles north of Kayakoy, is the closest town. (credit:Flickr:Pot Noodle)
Herculaneum, Naples, Italy(07 of44)
Getting there: Herculaneum, 5 miles south of Naples, can be reached from the city by bus or train at the Ercolano station. (credit:Flickr:S J Pinkney)
Belchite, Zaragoza Province, Spain(08 of44)
Getting there: The remains of the old town are .5 miles from modern Belchite. (credit:Flickr:luisvilla)
Kolmanskop, Namibia(09 of44)
Getting there: The nearby city of Luderitz is a good base for exploring Kolmaskop and other abandoned mining towns in the area. (credit:Flickr:Raymond June)
Fayette, Michigan(10 of44)
Geoffrey Pelkey:
Fayette was one of the typical 19th century \"boom towns.\" The Jackson Iron Company founded the town in 1867 \r\n\r\nThe site was chosen for the limestone, the small but deep natural harbor, and the immense stands of hardwood on the entire length of the Garden Peninsula. (The hardwood was used to make charcoal, which together with limestone, was essential to the iron smelting process.)\r\n\r\nBy 1891 the hardwood on the peninsula was gone and soft coal was replacing charcoal in the smelting process. It was no longer profitable for the company to run Fayette. The furnaces went cold and the town slowly became deserted.
Fayette was one of the typical 19th century \"boom towns.\" The Jackson Iron Company founded the town in 1867 \r\n\r\nThe site was chosen for the limestone, the small but deep natural harbor, and the immense stands of hardwood on the entire length of the Garden Peninsula. (The hardwood was used to make charcoal, which together with limestone, was essential to the iron smelting process.)\r\n\r\nBy 1891 the hardwood on the peninsula was gone and soft coal was replacing charcoal in the smelting process. It was no longer profitable for the company to run Fayette. The furnaces went cold and the town slowly became deserted.
Hancock, Michigan(11 of44)
emcd:
In the great UP of Michigan, old buinding at the abandoned Quincy Copper Mine museum.
In the great UP of Michigan, old buinding at the abandoned Quincy Copper Mine museum.
Tunisian desert(12 of44)
Jacek Lerych:
Tunisian desert city (proprely cropped)(13 of44)
Jacek Lerych:
Jerome, Arizona(14 of44)
azfooddude:
The Grand Hotel in Jerome, AZ use to be an insame assylum during the copper mining days.
The Grand Hotel in Jerome, AZ use to be an insame assylum during the copper mining days.
Dogtown, Cape Ann, MA(15 of44)
Bill Way:
After the Revolution, the many widows in the \"Common Settlement\" (now Gloucester) MA moved inland to avoid piracy and crime, and many got dogs for protection. The last survivors were moved to poorhouses in the early 1800s, leaving just the dogs. All that remains are some \"cellar holes\" lined with stonework, and these boulders, which were carved in the 1930s.
After the Revolution, the many widows in the \"Common Settlement\" (now Gloucester) MA moved inland to avoid piracy and crime, and many got dogs for protection. The last survivors were moved to poorhouses in the early 1800s, leaving just the dogs. All that remains are some \"cellar holes\" lined with stonework, and these boulders, which were carved in the 1930s.
Real Photo Ghost Girl in White(16 of44)
Taken in Springfield, IL Dec 2009 Girl in white, woman at right, apparitions not visible when taken. (credit:Ladycatlove)
Dancing Lady Ghost Apparition(17 of44)
Cemtery photo from early 2011 (credit:Ladycatlove)
Bodie, CA(18 of44)
Jen Gold:
Definitely check out Bodie, CA - beautiful abandoned mining town in northern CA
Definitely check out Bodie, CA - beautiful abandoned mining town in northern CA
Volubolis, Morocco(19 of44)
Margaret Reimer:
Volubolis, Morocco--the farthest south the Roman Empire got, the outpost that supplied fierce beasts for the Games, and that was abandoned after the expansion of Islam into Morocco. Eerie and wonderful, includes some fantastic floor mosaics
Volubolis, Morocco--the farthest south the Roman Empire got, the outpost that supplied fierce beasts for the Games, and that was abandoned after the expansion of Islam into Morocco. Eerie and wonderful, includes some fantastic floor mosaics
Goreme Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey(20 of44)
Mikecochran:
One of many abandoned villages in Cappadocia.
One of many abandoned villages in Cappadocia.
Tunisian Ghost Town(21 of44)
Mikecochran:
One of hundreds of abandoned villages in central Tunisia.
One of hundreds of abandoned villages in central Tunisia.
Bodie(22 of44)
horsegail:
An old house in Bodie, Ca
An old house in Bodie, Ca
Eastern State Penitentiary(23 of44)
draffi:
Bannack, Montana(24 of44)
JaredMG:
Bannack, Montana. A ghost town thankfully preserved by Montana\'s State Park division. Over 50 intact buildings to explore. The gallows still stands, and bullet holes are still in the walls.
Bannack, Montana. A ghost town thankfully preserved by Montana\'s State Park division. Over 50 intact buildings to explore. The gallows still stands, and bullet holes are still in the walls.
Mogollon, in the southwest New Mexico(25 of44)
rcgauer:
Part ghost town and part quiet retreat, Mogollon (pronounced \"muggy - own\") is a historic jewel perched in the Mogollon Mountains of southern Catron County, just north of Grant County and Silver City. Formed as a mining camp and later as a mining community, Mogollon\'s hills still bear witness to the heavy work of hard-rock mining underground: Mine shafts, rails for mine trains, sluices, abandoned buildings and the ruins of head frames still dot the landscape. Never attempt to enter mine ruins, shafts, buildings or other properties. More at www.silvercityacd.org.
Part ghost town and part quiet retreat, Mogollon (pronounced \"muggy - own\") is a historic jewel perched in the Mogollon Mountains of southern Catron County, just north of Grant County and Silver City. Formed as a mining camp and later as a mining community, Mogollon\'s hills still bear witness to the heavy work of hard-rock mining underground: Mine shafts, rails for mine trains, sluices, abandoned buildings and the ruins of head frames still dot the landscape. Never attempt to enter mine ruins, shafts, buildings or other properties. More at www.silvercityacd.org.
Royal Gardens Subdivison, Big Island, Hawaii(26 of44)
kraig:
Since 1984 volcanic flow from Kilauea, the world\'s most active volcano has reclaimed this one populated neighborhood.
Since 1984 volcanic flow from Kilauea, the world\'s most active volcano has reclaimed this one populated neighborhood.
Centralia, Pennsylvania(27 of44)
JaredMG:
The site of a coal fire that\'s been burning underground since the late 1960s, Centralia has fewer than a dozen residents today and has even had its zip code revoked by the postal service.
The site of a coal fire that\'s been burning underground since the late 1960s, Centralia has fewer than a dozen residents today and has even had its zip code revoked by the postal service.
Elizabeth Town, NM(28 of44)
Nina Anthony:
Old truck pointing the way to Elizabeth Town (aka \"E-Town\") New Mexico, a once-bustling gold mining town with 7,000 residents. Black Jack Ketchum was supposedly a frequent visitor.
Old truck pointing the way to Elizabeth Town (aka \"E-Town\") New Mexico, a once-bustling gold mining town with 7,000 residents. Black Jack Ketchum was supposedly a frequent visitor.
Death Valley Junction, California(29 of44)
kraig:
This ghost town also houses the Amargosa Opera House, owned by Marta Becket. The hotel next door is claimed to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. It is an old dormitory for miners.
This ghost town also houses the Amargosa Opera House, owned by Marta Becket. The hotel next door is claimed to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. It is an old dormitory for miners.
Rhyolite, Death Valley(30 of44)
draffi:
Uranium City, Saskatchewan(31 of44)
idyl:
An abandoned mining town with some 5,000 souls in its heyday (1982).
An abandoned mining town with some 5,000 souls in its heyday (1982).
Rhyolite, Nevada(32 of44)
kraig:
Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is located in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles (190 km) northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern edge of Death Valley.
Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is located in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles (190 km) northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern edge of Death Valley.
Rhyolite, Nevada(33 of44)
kraig:
Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is located in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles (190 km) northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern edge of Death Valley.
Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is located in the Bullfrog Hills, about 120 miles (190 km) northwest of Las Vegas, near the eastern edge of Death Valley.
Two Guns, AZ. USA(34 of44)
Chris Shelton:
Two Guns AZ is a ghost town with a few remaining buildings. Including one with a skatable pool!
Two Guns AZ is a ghost town with a few remaining buildings. Including one with a skatable pool!
Elkhorn Montana(35 of44)
galloppinggeezer:
Elkhorn Montana
Elkhorn Montana
Oven inside the Meade Hotel Bannack MT(36 of44)
galloppinggeezer:
Oven inside the Meade Hotel Bannack MT
Oven inside the Meade Hotel Bannack MT
Barber Chair Skinner's Bar Bannack MT(37 of44)
galloppinggeezer:
Barber Chair Skinner\'s Bar Bannack MT
Barber Chair Skinner\'s Bar Bannack MT
Dance & Stuart Virginia City MT(38 of44)
galloppinggeezer:
Dance & Stuart Virginia City MT
Dance & Stuart Virginia City MT
Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Central Missouri(39 of44)
Pixeltaker:
Burned in 1942 along with the castle. Ha Ha Tonka was the name of a near-by lake. The 5,000 acres was originally purchased in 1903 by Robert M. Snyder, a wealthy business man from Kansas City. He planned to use it as a retreat from the rigors of the business life. In 1905 he was tragically killed in one of Missouri\'s first automobile accidents. His sons completed the castle. More tragedy struck between 1905 and 1942.
Burned in 1942 along with the castle. Ha Ha Tonka was the name of a near-by lake. The 5,000 acres was originally purchased in 1903 by Robert M. Snyder, a wealthy business man from Kansas City. He planned to use it as a retreat from the rigors of the business life. In 1905 he was tragically killed in one of Missouri\'s first automobile accidents. His sons completed the castle. More tragedy struck between 1905 and 1942.
Encino, New Mexico(40 of44)
Alex Matzke:
An abandoned house in Encino, New Mexico.
An abandoned house in Encino, New Mexico.
Garnet Ghost Town(41 of44)
Garnet, Montana (credit:Melissa Ortiz)
Uranium City, Saskatchewan 2011(42 of44)
ian brewster photography:
Uranium City, August 2011 - thirty years after the mines closed
Uranium City, August 2011 - thirty years after the mines closed
Medicine Mound, Texas(43 of44)
Robin Cole Jett:
Named after the four hills that served as places for Comanche vision quests.
Named after the four hills that served as places for Comanche vision quests.
Nevadaville, Colorado (44 of44)
Phillip Barber:
Old ghost town very close to Central City, CO
Old ghost town very close to Central City, CO
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