‘Leaning’ tower of Bangkok sparks panic
New building’s unusual design made some think it was about to collapse
Online reporters and Kanana Katharangsiporn
A social media alert that a high-rise under construction near Bangkok’s Ploenchit intersection appeared to be leaning over stirred brief panic on Tuesday, but it was just the unusual design being revealed as the contractor removed the covering.
A Twitter user posted photos of the Pathumwan building with a hashtag for JS100 traffic radio, saying that it appeared to be leaning towards the adjacent high-rise condominium building, Noble Ploenchit.
The images were rapidly shared, along with people’s comments on the “leaning” building.
According to a report in Thai media, the panic ensued after some scaffolding collapsed and workers ran from the site. People looking from outside gained the impression the building was leaning over.
However, the project engineer later told reporters the architect designed it that way, to reflect the hand movement of the wai, a Thai greeting.
