Just thought I should try to make a list of the buildings that once was tallest in Bangkok. Temples, churches and similar not included. Or we could do them in parallell.


1970 - Dusit Thani Hotel

1982 - Bangkok Bank building

1987 - Baiyoke Suite

1992(?) - United Center

1993 - Sinn Sathorn Tower (maybe Charn Issara 2 had a brief time at the top if it was completed earlier in the year)

1996 - Jewelry Trade Center

1997 - Baiyoke Tower 2

???? - Antenna added to Baiyoke Tower 2

The list is incomplete and I'm not sure how accurate it is as I'm just guessing based on random info from the web.. please help improve the list and provide additional info on these buildings. What buildings were the tallest before Dusit Thani? I only know of the one on Th. Yaowarat as mentioned at 2bangkok.com, but there must have been more in between those two!?

Edit: just seconds after making the thread I found an old, similar thread for Singapore (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71589) Let's copy their effort :D

Another amazing job by u, JO!!!

I think u missing out the true-first skyscraper in Bangkok....Chok-Chai Tower,.....which is now as known as UOB Tower near Emporium Tower ( as I'm not mistaken )

this is good.. we need to do a building time line.

A couple more to add to the list ;)

1. Phraya Sombat Phaisan building, Yaowarat Rd, Yaowarat
9 storeys (c.1950) arguably the first 'skyscraper' in Bangkok

(more info http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/tall.shtml)

2. AIA (American International Assurance) building, Surawongse Rd, Silom 10 storeys - completed Jun 1966

3. Cathay Trust Building (Esso Building), Rama IV Rd, Silom
12 storeys - completed Feb 1970

4. Dusit Thani, Rama IV Rd, Silom - construction completed 1970.

5. Chokechai International, Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toey - 20 storeys 1981 by Rangsan Architecture (I think it's shorter than Dusit Thani though)

Thanks for the additions.. I will update the list soon.

If Chokechai/UOB was shorter than Dusit, maybe it was first for Bkk in another way, like with the type of cladding it used, or tallest to the roof? Is it the gold one?

We can add such buildings also.. I'll put them in a separate list.. how about tallest other structures? Surely Wat Arun must have been the tallest temple when it was built.. or the golden mount if that should count?


edit: here it is

1950 circa - Phraya Sombat Phaisan building, Yaowarat Rd, Yaowarat. 9 storeys Note: Arguably the first 'skyscraper' in Bangkok. More info at more info http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/tall.shtml

1966 June - AIA (American International Assurance) building, Surawongse Rd, Silom. 10 storeys

1970 February - Cathay Trust Building (Esso Building), Rama IV Rd, Silom. 12 storeys

1970 - Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama IV Rd, Silom

1982 - Bangkok Bank building

1987 - Baiyoke Suite

1992(?) - United Center

1993 - Sinn Sathorn Tower (maybe Charn Issara 2 had a brief time at the top if it was completed earlier in the year)

1996 - Jewelry Trade Center

1997 - Baiyoke Tower 2

???? - Antenna added to Baiyoke Tower 2



Other milestones:

1981 - Chokechai International (now UOB Tower), Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toey by Rangsan Architecture
20 storeys note: First modern office tower? Would be Bkks tallest at the time if taller than Dusit Thani. Anyone knows how tall it is?

Originally posted by Jo

If Chokechai/UOB was shorter than Dusit, maybe it was first for Bkk in another way, like with the type of cladding it used, or tallest to the roof? Is it the gold one?


yep that orange / gold one.. very cool. Probably the first all glass curtainwall building in Bangkok. I remember there's some info about it in 'Bangkok by Design' book. Anyone who has a copy of this book please look it up for us.

no idea how tall it is though :?

But I personally think It's rather Pink than Gold or Orange...:) , but anyway....here it is.....:D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/1310dsc01122.jpg

thanks for the pix
A couple of photos of Dusit Thani and the Rama I hotel in Silom . These are two of the tallest buildings in Bangkok in the 70s (Source: National Geographic Magazine)

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~passean/dusit2.JPG

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~passean/rama1hotel.JPG

Also it seem to be a tradition that the next tallest building in Bangkok has to be a bigger hotel to outdo the other ones. Starting with Dusit Thani -> Baiyoke 1, Thai Wah 2 (well semi hotel) and of course Baiyoke 2.

Cool.. what a monolith like thing Chokechai is!

Okay, two pix of Phraya Sombat Phaisan building. They have a little shopping arcade in it which has seen grander days.

http://209.197.68.107/tmp/oldtower01.jpg

http://209.197.68.107/tmp/oldtower02.jpg

Pas, wow.. so that's what the area looked like before.. The windows for Rama 1 Hotel looks insane :) Actually I really like the style (as probably the only person :D), it has some similarities with some Bkk building facades of the time.

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Originally posted by Jo
The windows for Rama 1 Hotel looks insane :) Actually I really like the style (as probably the only person :D), it has some similarities with some Bkk building facades of the time.

yeh I like it too.. nice round windows, reminds me of those tiny capsule hotels in Tokyo ;)

Originally posted by Pas

yeh I like it too.. nice round windows, reminds me of those tiny capsule hotels in Tokyo ;)

Is that now changed to Montien Hotel?

Originally posted by Chad

Is that now changed to Montien Hotel?

yeh Chad i think so.. Rama hotel is now Montien. Can you check it out just to confirm. Well it's that building next door to Holiday Inn Crown Plaza which is next door to Jewelry Trade Center on Silom Road.

Isn't it that one between Surawong and Rama 4 rds behind Montien Plaza or something? Or are you talking about another building?

Originally posted by Jo

Isn't it that one between Surawong and Rama 4 rds behind Montien Plaza or something? Or are you talking about another building?

Oh yeh, Montien Hotel is on Rama IV Road, hmmm,......I remember that hotel next door to the Crowne Plaza Silom now.., I have to go check it out.....

Originally posted by Jo

Isn't it that one between Surawong and Rama 4 rds behind Montien Plaza or something? Or are you talking about another building?

I mean this one here

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~passean/rama1.JPG
:cheers:

It's really dwarfed by the new buildings! Damn, I regret not taking photos of more odd looking architecture and everyday street scenes while in Bkk instead of having tons of pix of the same skyscrapers over and over ;)

Oh yeh, That one!,.....It was recently repainted to yellow....

here u can also see it in this pic, and one thing I'm not sure that...It's part of the Crown' Plaza Silom, Since they both repainted in the same time and located just like it's connected to each other ...:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/1310dsc04260.jpg

Cathay Trust Building (Former ESSO Tower) is the first building structure to employ post tension system in Thailand.

Completed in 1970


http://www.thaiobayashi.co.th/html/major/show.php?act=popup&id=1&imgact=1

Hi Everybody,

Actually, before Phraya Sombut Phaisarn Building, it is Nai Loed buiding (the 7-floor) building near Phitthayasathian Bridge (Saphan lek Lang) which was built around 1925-26.

Nai Loed Setthaputra (Phraya Pakdee Noraset - 1872 - 1945) had found the very first Ice factorry in Siam wjhcih was not far from Nai Loed Building ... Furthermore, Nai Loed had pioneered the white buses in BKK, introduce fuel (kerosene, gazolene or so) from Standard Oil Co.Ltd. (now Esso (Thailand) PCL).

Cool, I heard Nai Lert was a historic business person in the city and had land and businesses around Pratunam and Ploenchit. That concrete thing at one intersection of Ploenchit rd is marking the border of his land, right?

Yep ... Even the British Embassy has the long term lease on Nai Loed's Land which now has been controlled throuhg Nai Loed Co.Ltd.

-= updated =-

1925-26 Nai Loed buiding near Phitthayasathian Bridge (Saphan lek Lang), 7-floors

1927-1937 - Phraya Sombat Phaisan building, Yaowarat Rd, Yaowarat. 9 storeys
Note: Arguably the first 'skyscraper' in Bangkok. More info at http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/tall.shtml

1966 June - AIA (American International Assurance) building, Surawongse Rd, Silom. 10 storeys

1970 February - Cathay Trust Building (Esso Building), Rama IV Rd, Silom. 12 storeys.
Note: First building structure in Thailand to employ post tension system.

1970 - Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama IV Rd, Silom - 82 m

1978 - Royal Orchid Sheraton - 101 m

1982 - Bangkok Bank building - 134 m

1987 - Baiyoke Suite - 151 m

1992(?) - United Center

1993 - Sinn Sathorn Tower - 195 m
Note: Maybe Charn Issara 2 had a brief time at the top if it was completed earlier in the year.

1996 - Jewelry Trade Center - 221 m

1997 - Baiyoke Tower 2 - 304 m <-Or how tall was it without the antenna?

???? - Antenna added to Baiyoke Tower 2



Other milestones:

1981 - Chokechai International (now UOB Tower), Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toey by Rangsan Architecture. 20 storeys
Note: First modern office tower in the city? Would be Bkks tallest at the time if taller than Dusit Thani. Anyone knows how tall it is?

I still have doubt about completion date of Thaiwah 2. I believe it's finished after Sinn Sathorn but before JTC was opened.
BTW how tall is Charn Issara 2? because it only has 40 floors surely it's shorter than United Center with 53 storeys (187m)?

Thaiwah 2 is 197 meters tall, right? Yeah it should be there I think... at least I heard it used to be the tallest in Bkk.

I thought Charn Issara 2 was 45 storeys? ..read it on a website once.. could be wrong though ;) In any case United Center should be taller!

Thaiwah Tower actually finished in January 1995, while the Hotel was officially openned in August 1997 with the height at 197 meters from the ground up to troof parapat, that's made it former tallest since then to the finishion of JTC in the year after...:)

So I guess it's something like this now..

1925-26 Nai Loed buiding near Phitthayasathian Bridge (Saphan lek Lang), 7-floors

1927-1937 - Phraya Sombat Phaisan building, Yaowarat Rd, Yaowarat. 9 storeys
Note: Arguably the first 'skyscraper' in Bangkok. More info at http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/tall.shtml

1966 June - AIA (American International Assurance) building, Surawongse Rd, Silom. 10 storeys

1970 February - Cathay Trust Building (Esso Building), Rama IV Rd, Silom. 12 storeys.
Note: First building structure in Thailand to employ post tension system.

1970 - Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama IV Rd, Silom - 82 m

1978 - Royal Orchid Sheraton - 101 m

1982 - Bangkok Bank building - 134 m

1987 - Baiyoke Suite - 151 m

1992(?) - United Center - 53 storey, 187 m

1993 - Sinn Sathorn Tower - 195 m

1995 - Thaiwah 2 - 197 m

1996 - Jewelry Trade Center - 221 m

1997 - Baiyoke Tower 2 - 304 m <-Or how tall was it without the antenna?

???? - Antenna added to Baiyoke Tower 2



Other milestones:

1981 - Chokechai International (now UOB Tower), Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toey by Rangsan Architecture. 20 storeys
Note: First modern office tower in the city? Would be Bkks tallest at the time if taller than Dusit Thani. Anyone knows how tall it is?


Okay, so what about the other milestones? Anything to add?

Jo the 304m height of Baiyoke 2 is measured to the structural top not including antenna :)

Some other buildings and year of completion not sure of the height:

Central Grand Plaza (LadPhrao) 1981
Sathorn Thani 1, 2 (Sathorn) 1981
CP Tower (Silom) 1985
Shangri-La Hotel 1985
Landmark Hotel (Sukhumvit) 1987
The Floraville complex 1992
Waterford Towers Thonglor 1992
Thai Military Bank HQ (Chatuchak) 1992 (?)

also Asoke Tower and Sino-Thai tower.. completed around the time of Baiyoke ;)

Now I think Thaiwah 2 was probably finished in Late 1994: the office component open in Jan 1995, hotel open in August 1996. I finally located the ad for TW2. Note at the top of the newspaper, it is dated Tuesday 17 January 1995 (BE 2538)

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~passean/tw2ad.JPG

Sinn Sathorn tower was completed before TW2 in April 1993 (btw the often quoted 195m height of this building included the antenna).

Thanks Pas!

You always find those cool but forgotten stuff in newspapers and magazines. I gotta buy some next time when going to the weekend market ;)

2 of the tallest:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/joprb/skyscrapers/68798675.jpg

Nice capture Jo!!, Looks very slim from every angle.

Top shot "

http://www.sky.s64.pl/home/W/Bkk/b15.jpg

Thanx. Is that antenna on the other side, I suppose they didn't remove it, right?

Antenna was at only a side eversince it finished :)

Here, incase of wondering whats inside Thaiwah's sky gate

http://www.thailand.co.jp/banyan-bk/SkyDeck.jpg

A pool!!!!!
Oh ......how much I have to pay for swiming in this pool..

The view would be spectacular.

It's a spa.

FROM TEAK HOUSE TO SKYRISE
Bangkok's urban development has come a long way

Story by KRISSANA PARNSOONTHORN

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/020806_bus01.jpg
The seven-storey premises of the gold trading company Hua Seng Heng on Yaowarat Road, is generally agreed to have been the capital's first "high-rise" building.

Sixty years ago, Bangkok was only a small capital with a modest population of around 800,000, and the closest the building industry had come to a ''high-rise'' was a four-storey shophouse. The ''Venice of Asia'' at that time had room enough to accommodate its residents. Most Bangkok residents lived in traditional Thai houses and business was conducted in small one- or two-storey shophouses built from wood or a mix of wood and concrete.

Back then, a row of four-storey commercial buildings on Ratchadamnoen Avenue would have been the tallest public buildings in Bangkok. They were developed on the Crown Property Bureau's land around 100 years ago during the reign of King Rama V.

Beyond that period, palaces, mansions and residences belonging to royal families or aristocrats were exclusively designed and built by Italian architects, with most construction materials imported from Italy. Such buildings are of great cultural pride today.

Following World War II, the urbanisation of Bangkok began. The concept of high-rise buildings was introduced from areas such as Malaysia, in line with the establishment of new trade routes between Thailand and neighbouring countries.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/020806_bus02.jpg
Baiyoke Tower II, at 304 metres, is the tallest building in Bangkok now.

The first ''high-rise'' building was a seven-storey shophouse for a gold merchant on Yaowarat Road, according to Assoc Prof Manop Bongsadadt, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Architecture.

This started a trend for this type of building, influenced by Chinese architecture and using brick and sand, in the city's Chinatown area.

In that period, basic construction materials that could be produced locally were brick, terracotta and cement, while steel, glass and marble were imported from outside Thailand from regions such as Europe.

''Construction techniques in those days were so simple. We didn't have concrete piling like today. We tied several logs together in a chase-like style and laid them down tightly on the ground as the building foundation,'' said Assoc Prof Manop.

The property market was revolutionised in Thailand 30 years ago when true high-rise development was introduced with buildings such as the Dusit Thani Hotel and the Laemthong building. Architectural and construction-material businesses grew in line with the new property boom and construction techniques became increasingly more sophisticated.

The flourishing city that stands today is totally different from Bangkok in 1946. The rapid urbanisation catapulted the capital into the modern world and attracted more and more people, with the population currently standing at around 10 million.

The tallest building to be found in Bangkok now is Baiyoke Tower II in Pratunam. At a height of 304 metres spanning 85 floors, it is a symbol of the sort of progression that Bangkokians of 60 years ago would never have expected to see on their horizon.

Source : Bangkokpost : Aug 2, 2006
:)