This is Bangkok's original custom's house - which is now set to become a hotel after lying abandoned on the side of the city's river.

The stunning neo-classical property was built in 1888 and levied taxes on traders moving in and out of the kingdom along the Chao Phraya river. Designed by Austrian-Italian architect Joachim Grassi, it was inspired by the beautiful homes in the Italian countryside.

However, customs operations have long been modernised and today the building stands empty and crumbling.

Local officials have made efforts to renovate the stunning building and preserve it's heritage, while there has also been big money offers from developers who would like to knock it down to build a shopping mall or apartment block.

Thailand's Treasury Department has confirmed that the project to turn the old Custom's House into an Aman Resorts hotel would go ahead under Natural Park's successor, the U City company.

The iconic building - one of the few remaining links to Thailand's past when it was 'Siam' - is now still standing empty with developers due to start work in the coming months.