The Jim Thompson House
The Jim Thompson House 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".
 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.
Both
the supporting columns and consequently, the walls of the house lean slightly
inward adding to the illusion of height and grace. The curved roof ends,
characteristic of traditional Thai houses, are probably adaptations of naga
(serpent) motifs.
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.
Original architectural drawings for the
house, prepared by Thompson and his Thai architect.
During construction, carpenters were brought from
Ayutthaya to assemble the old structures.
The Jim Thompson House Floor Plan
Open: Daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission: 100 baht.
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