One of my favorite memories of Bangkok is our visit to The Jim Thompson House; the beauty of the house, the amazing art collection, the Thai hospitality, the jungle style garden with its trees providing a much welcomed shade were all factors for me declaring Jim Thompson House a must see in Bangkok.
Jim Thompson was an American architect with a great interest in art. He volunteered to join the Army, and was assigned to the Office of Strategic Service, a position that would take him around the world. After spending some years in Bangkok, Thompson developed a fondness of the city, and when he was discharged from the Army, he took up residence in Bangkok permanently. While living in Bangkok, Thompson turned his attention to Thai silk, and vowed to revive the craft. Using his talents for color and design and his determination, Thompson is credited for rebuilding the Thai silk industry and introducing international distribution.
In 1967, Jim Thompson went on a vacation to the Cameron Highlands, and mysteriously disappeared to never come back to Bangkok.His legends,however,are very much alive with his Thai silk shop that distributes internationally,and his splendid house turned into museum in Bangkok.
The Jim Thompson House was built on one of Bangkok canals, therefore, it is fairly easy to reach by boat, taxi or sky train. The house consists of a complex of six Thai-style houses, with a western twist. The house is constructed using teak wood, and without any nails, but rather it is "built in light, pre-fabricated sections with each section forming a wall", according to the Jim Thompson House website."Each wall is then fitted together and hung on the superstructure - a frame of wooden pillars - without nails". The structures are also elevated from the ground to account for any flooding.
Photography is not permitted inside the house, but the collection of arts and antiques is exquisite. From beautiful paintings, to solid statues and colorful china ware, visitors have a lot to gawk at touring this mansion. Not to mention the designer furniture and many chandeliers that adorn rooms of the house. We were allowed to take some photos from outside of one of the house sections.
One of my favorite house features was the ghost, or spirit house that is tended to daily to cast away the evil spirits.
Included in the price of the admission ticket(100 Baht, about $3), is a guided tour of the house and the beautiful garden. The museum is open everyday from 0900 am until 0500 pm, and it is well worth a visit. The JT shop is also open selling top quality Thai silk.
Comments (10)
Amazing structure. Very interesting story full of mystery.
Posted by Barb Cabot | August 5, 2009 1:55 AM
Posted on August 5, 2009 01:55
Hi Candi, wonderful post. I had not heard of Jim Thompson before. What an interesting story. This museum looks like a definite must see while visiting Bangkok. Great photos of both the exterior and some of the interior and gardens. And I think the spirit house is pretty interesting with the bright flowers in front of it.
Thanks so much Candi for another wonderful post on Thailand. I enjoyed reading it this morning.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | August 5, 2009 7:35 AM
Posted on August 5, 2009 07:35
I'd heard of Jim Thompson but had never seen photos of his place before. I wonder what happened to him? Pretty cool to build a place with no nails, and I love that little spirit house!
Posted by Annie | August 5, 2009 10:47 AM
Posted on August 5, 2009 10:47
Hey Annie stole my comment! lol I too love the spirit house, and thought it cool that the house was built with no nails...except I'd never heard of Jim Thompson before. Curious about his disappearance. Very interesting post, Candi.
Posted by Anne | August 5, 2009 7:22 PM
Posted on August 5, 2009 19:22
Very interesting, Candi. I have a gorgeous, silk Jim Thompson makeup bag that a friend brought me from Thailand. Now I know the story behind the bag!
Posted by sandrac | August 6, 2009 3:21 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 15:21
Interesting to read about Jim Thompson, his life and his legacy.
I am fascinated by the architecture of Thai-style houses. My brother lived in one but wasn’t raised.
The gardens look spectacular. I can only imagine the colorful display of flowers.
Posted by María I. | August 6, 2009 3:30 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 15:30
So interesting!
Did you buy any textiles during your trip? My mother has a lot of antique textiles from her trips to Thailand, all hung in the apartment. So gorgeous.
Posted by Amy | August 7, 2009 5:12 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 05:12
Amy,
I saw some real beautiful textiles all over Thailand, but the ones at the JT gallery were especially beautiful. I have not bough any, saving it for the next trip.
Posted by candi | August 7, 2009 4:11 PM
Posted on August 7, 2009 16:11
How mysterious! I wonder what happened to him. Interesting story. I have not heard of Jim Thompson or his silk textiles. There is a replica of the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe on Oahu. The original in Japan is built without nails. I am not sure if the replica is built without nails.
Hey, I hope you are preparing for this scary storm. Just saw the latest and it is now headed towards Maui! Even if it is a tropical storm, they expect it to be bad. Of course our fearless governor has left the state!
Posted by girasoli | August 8, 2009 10:03 PM
Posted on August 8, 2009 22:03
Fabulous place, Candi.
I wonder why photos are not allowed. Strange.
Never heard of Jim Thompson, before now, that is.
Good stuff!
Alex
Posted by Alex | August 12, 2009 3:20 AM
Posted on August 12, 2009 03:20