A number of Thai newspapers today, including the Bangkok Post, covered the story of the derelict New World Department Store in Bang Lamphu. The place has been scheduled for demolition for years. I am surprised this hasn’t been done yet considering that people have been seriously hurt and even killed when parts of the building collapsed back in 2004 (see 2Bangkok.com). What is more surprising, that despite the warning from engineers that it could collapse again, the department store is turning into a kind of tourist attraction where thousands of fish can be seen swimming around its flooded ground floor.
Are people intentionaly released those fish there,so it’s nice just let it be there ??
From what I understand, the place was invested with thousands of mosquitoes which were proving to be annoying to nearby food merchants. So, they started to release fish into the stagnant water to deal with this problem.
Hi Richard
Thanks for all the great articles you write on the various pages on the Internet.
I have a question, it is forbidden to go into derelict shopping mall and feed the fish?
Thomas from Sweden
There are signs but I don’t think anyone would stop you. However, do be careful.
HI Richard
I travel to Bangkok and are curious to visit the New World Department Store in Bang Lamphu after I read your blog.
How do you get into the building?
Merlin
I haven’t actually been there yet. I would think by now they would have boarded it up as it is potentially dangerous. It was widely reported in the papers at the time. If you do go, be careful.