Urban Exploration!

Charn, another typical 20 year old student; whom you meet everyday in class. Seeing his mundane life you would never expect someone like him to have a secret hobby – Urban Exploration.

What exactly is Urban Exploration?

Urban Exploration is basically exploring urban areas that nobody has explored, usually abandoned places and sometimes you may have to trespass.

Since you mentioned trespassing, are you suggesting that tresspassing is part of Urban Exploration?

Yes, because even though those places are abandoned, they still have owners. It’s basically going inside properties without permission. I would gradually find my way in or sometimes you can even bribe to go in.

So if Urban Exploration involves trespassing, does this mean it is illegal?

Hahaha yes, it is indeed illegal.

Since trespassing is illegal, are you scared of the consequences that may arise when you go urban exploring?

To be honest, that is the fun part of it. We get an adrenaline rush from doing things we are not allow to do. It is like underaged children who drinks, you get it? It makes you want to do it more and you feel so rewarded once you complete it.

So apart from the whole adrenaline rush. What other aspect of Urban Exploration do you enjoy?

I enjoy seeing new things and perspective others may not see. You remember the economic crisis in 1970 right? Many companies in Thailand shut down and people were left unemployed, causing all of these abandoned structure in Thailand. So by exploring these places, it’s like another way of understanding history.

How did you actually learn and got into Urban Exploration?

It was during a highschool trip, me and my friend managed to find a way to escape into the rice fields without the teachers knowing and explored an abandoned house. We loved the adrenaline and wanted to do more of it.

What are some of your favourite encounters from your Urban Exploration?

Roof topping! Once you explore the whole place, you normally end up at the rooftop, which gives you a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the view is amazing.

What’s your favourite building you explored so far and why?

Definitely the Bangna building because I’ve seen it since I was a child. It’s like you see something so many times and you finally get to go inside- it’s an amazing feeling.

According to the internet, many have claimed that Urban Exploration is a dangerous hobby. What is your opinion on this?

It is a dangerous hobby. Because there’s so many risks, getting caught, you don’t know who’s in building, what’s in the building. It’s dangerous.

Are you suggesting that it is worth to risk the dangerous aspects of Urban Exploration for the experience?

It depends who you are, if you’re not mentally and physically ready, then it’s not for you.

Have you had any dangerous or risky experiences during your Urban Exploration?

I’ve walked on very small platforms, where if you walk to the left or right by 5cm, you might fall off the building and you know, die.

That sounds terrifying, so are discouraged to go urban exploring again after this incident?

Umm… it didn’t discouraged me, it just taught me to be more careful. It’s just a lesson for me to know better in these situation and not risk myself anymore.

Will this be a hobby you continue doing in the future?

At least not in a long while, I don’t feel like doing it right now. One reason is that I’ve been to the main places in Bangkok already, I don’t feel like there’s anywhere else. I also feel matured up already and I feel like it’s not worth it anymore, looking at the consequences.

What are some tips or advice would you give to someone who wants to start Urban Exploration?

Do a lot of research, especially on the place. You should go there at least one time before going in, to see it looks like, how to go in, the exits, in case there’s an emergency. They would also have to be mentally prepared for the worse.

What are your views on the future of Urban Exploration?

I feel like it was peaking for a moment, when I was really into it and did it frequently. But now it’s kinda dead because people often focus on other things rather physical activities. People focus on their looks and shit. Urban Exploration is also something that can’t sustain because if it gets popular, the government will try to stop it because it’s illegal and dangerous. I don’t think it’ll become a popular hobby in the future.