Thousands of carp, iridescent sharks, catfish and tilapia have been netted from the flooded remains of the New World Mall in Bangkok, which has been collapsing in legal limbo since 1997, when judges ordered it demolished after finding that the 11-storey mall had been built on the basis of planning permission that only allowed for four storeys.
Roofless and rained-upon, the four remaining storeys flooded and filled up with fish, which have been tended by the people who run the coffee-stand in front of the mall’s ruins.
Phra Nakhon district director Somchai Traipittayakul said the water will be drained from the building after all fish are removed, but the office will not be responsible for building a roof over New World. The mall owner has to bear responsibility for repairs, he added.
The building is owned by Kaew Pooktuanthong, who operates the Kaew Fah Plaza in Bang Lamphu. The BMA is demanding demolition costs of about 10 million baht from him.
Fish pulled from New World pond [Supoj Wancharoen/Bangkok Post]
(via IO9)