Bangkok cultural tour: Jim Thompson house. Things to do & travel guide
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Jim Thompson, was born at Greenville, Delaware, in 1906. He loves Thailand and want to leave inThailand permanent and made about business. After word war2 he started about Silk and Jim Thompson get alias is King of silk. A part from putting together this beautiful home, Thompson's most concrete contribution was to turn traditional silk-weaving from a dying art into the highly successful international industry it is today.
Jim Thompson is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson's achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the "Legendary American of Thailand".
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Jim Thompson house
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For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. Thompson's success story in Thailand has become one of the most popular postwar legends of Asia.
In 1967, Jim Thompson went on holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. There he set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned. Thus began the Jim Thompson legend.
Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in the home that was the 'talk of the town' and the 'city's most celebrated social center'. Even today, the charming Thai style house continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok.
The house consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-style houses, teak structures that were purchased from several owners and brought to the present location from various parts of Thailand. Construction of the Thai house was completed in 1959.
What to see:
The jungle landscape
At the end of a non-descript lane, a backdrop of dense foliage is visible in the distance. Drawing near, the distinctive features of a Thai style house soon appear in full view.
Jim Thompson's Thai house stands on one 'rai' of land, (equivalent to approximately half an acre) and is enveloped by beautifully landscaped gardens. Thompson found the haphazard look of nature's lush tropical jungles appealing. This jungle landscape in the midst of the city gives the house its unique appeal.
The Nostalgic Appeal of the Location
Thompson was deeply captivated by the nostalgic charm of old, and more simple Bangkok. The enchanting aspects of life along the klong or waterways, fascinated him. Wooden houses, some in the traditional Thai style, in the cool shade of trees lining the river banks, their branches arching over across the klong. The daily traffic - boats plying up and down the waterway selling their wares.
Thompson had had his eye on this piece of land by Klong Maha Nag and just across from the weaving village of Ban Krua that he visited every morning. It was a piece of land that had once been part of the vast compound of a summer palace.
Though the land is right in the heart of the city (a block away from the National Stadium), it retains a flavor of its country past. With city noises muted by the trees and by the klong, the pace seems visibly slower. The location has its appeal.
ACQUIRING THE LAND
According to Thai Law, foreigners may purchase up to one rai (approximately half an acre) of land for residential purposes provided that there is a reciprocal arrangement for Thai citizens in the buyer's home country or state. Fortunately for Thompson, Delaware met this requirement.
When to go:
Every day 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
How to get there:
Located in the center of Bangkok, it is conveniently reached by car, taxi, Tuk tuk, or the Sky Train (Bangkok Transit System).
