Thailand's abandoned 'ghost ship' luxury hotel

Once touted as a luxury getaway, Thailand's abandoned 'Ghost Ship' cruise hotel now lies dormant, reclaimed by tropical vegetation.

A floating luxury hotel's faded dreams

Launched in 2004 by real estate magnate Oran Asawaritthikul, the seven-story floating hotel, Galaxy, offered a unique blend of luxury and adventure Travel. With 200 rooms, it promised passengers serene crossings on man-made lakes, with sunsets glistening on smooth waters and nights lulled by the discreet lapping of the hull.

However, the lavish project failed to find its footing, crippled by high maintenance costs, irregular visitor numbers, and stiff competition from more flexible land-based hotels. As bookings dwindled, the high-end facilities designed for an international clientele became too expensive to maintain.

Despite rumors of a tourist's death aboard the ship, the exact reasons behind the Galaxy's sudden and mysterious closure remain unclear. A fire in December 2024 only exacerbated its decay.

Today, the once-majestic Galaxy sits docked, frozen in a eerie silence, its grandeur devoured by the untamed nature surrounding it. The 'Ghost Ship' serves as a haunting reminder of a failed dream and a testament to the capricious nature of tourism.