The Polo Club
What if Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher had collaborated on the design of a house? This site kind of answers that question.
This former polo club opened in 1993 and only operated for a few years into the mid-late 90's (I was told by the security guard that it closed in 2539 or 1996). A lot of capital was put into this site as it is enormous, with an opulent architectural design rarely seen in Thailand. The original site had over a dozen buildings aside from the main grounds, which included stables and both an indoor arena and outdoor playing field.
Now there are much fewer than a dozen, but the main arena/stable area and the phenomenal clubhouse remain.
I don't know the reasons for its closure, but I do know that there is competition from a more famous polo stadium in Pattaya in which Prince WIlliam played some years ago, as well as another in Bangkok city proper. The highlights for me were the indoor arena area, the facades, the multi-level stables and the bar area on the second floor. Some of the grounds have been purchased piece by piece with neighboring construction sites and businesses on what was once the polo grounds. There was a brick-lined parking lot with an ornate statue, both of which are no longer there. The rear of the grounds contains a large, mansion-like structure which served as (I believe) a hotel. Walking around the facility it isn't hard to imagine horses and riders scurrying around during and between matches, people having drinks at the bar and spectators watching the action on the fields. The few short years that it was in operation must have been a sight to behold. Nowadays, as is obvious from the picture, everything is decaying and being overtaken by flora and fauna, the 'fauna' being a pack of aggressive soi dogs, snakes and lizards, as well as the fish in a nearby canal, which seems to be a popular local spot to cast a line.
Read MoreThis former polo club opened in 1993 and only operated for a few years into the mid-late 90's (I was told by the security guard that it closed in 2539 or 1996). A lot of capital was put into this site as it is enormous, with an opulent architectural design rarely seen in Thailand. The original site had over a dozen buildings aside from the main grounds, which included stables and both an indoor arena and outdoor playing field.
Now there are much fewer than a dozen, but the main arena/stable area and the phenomenal clubhouse remain.
I don't know the reasons for its closure, but I do know that there is competition from a more famous polo stadium in Pattaya in which Prince WIlliam played some years ago, as well as another in Bangkok city proper. The highlights for me were the indoor arena area, the facades, the multi-level stables and the bar area on the second floor. Some of the grounds have been purchased piece by piece with neighboring construction sites and businesses on what was once the polo grounds. There was a brick-lined parking lot with an ornate statue, both of which are no longer there. The rear of the grounds contains a large, mansion-like structure which served as (I believe) a hotel. Walking around the facility it isn't hard to imagine horses and riders scurrying around during and between matches, people having drinks at the bar and spectators watching the action on the fields. The few short years that it was in operation must have been a sight to behold. Nowadays, as is obvious from the picture, everything is decaying and being overtaken by flora and fauna, the 'fauna' being a pack of aggressive soi dogs, snakes and lizards, as well as the fish in a nearby canal, which seems to be a popular local spot to cast a line.
