Jim Thompson

The Jim Thompson house is the number one thing to do in Bangkok according to the lonely planet. It seemed suspect to is but we decided to check it out and were pleasantly surprised. 

Jim Thompson was an ex-military/special forces officer from World War II that moved to Bangkok in his retirement. An architect by tradecraft, he fell in love with the city, built his own house, and reintroduced Thai silk to the rest of the world. He sprung to fame when he produced all the silk for The King and I. 

His house is awesome. He was an architect and designed it himself. The house is a series of inside out Thai houses connected by corridors. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the house, but were allowed to phonograph the grounds. Part of what makes this house so special is Jim's collection of Southeast Asia art. His house is a mausoleum for various Buddhas and other gods from around the region. 

Part of the allure of the house is that Jim Thompson one day vanished into thin air while vacationing in Malaysia. While this is unfortunate, and there is much speculation around the circumstances, he left behind a real gem. 

Facade of the house. 

The grounds. 

Canal on one side of the house. Jim lived on the canal across from the Muslim section of Bangkok. The people on the other side made the silk for him to export. 

The house was full of light, gardens, and beautiful flowers. 

A traditional Thai silk maker also sits on the grounds collecting silk. It might be gimmicky but it certainly shows how difficult and artful Thai silk making is!

The silkworm balls cooking in a pot:

Definitely a must for anyone in Bangkok. Jim Thompson silk is still available at various Jim Thompson stores in Thailand and beyond.