|
This exquisite collection of traditional Thai
house stands as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry
after the Second World War.
The story of James H.W. Thompson is one upon
legends are made. After serving in the U.S.A. armed forces, Jim
Thompson settled in Thailand and found the tremendous opportunity to
re-establish the Thai silk industry. In recognition of his services to
the country, he was bestowed the royal award of The Order of the White
Elephant.
The company he founded, Jim Thompson Thai Silk, is recognized worldwide for its brilliant creations.
He was an avid collector of Asian artifacts and
antiques and The Jim Thompson’s House is possibly the epitome of his
collection.
Before his mysterious disappearance in the
Cameron Highland in Malaysia in 1967, his house was the talk of the
town where he entertained his friends and visitors including the like
of Somerset Maugham.
The house sits on approximately a half acre of
land on Mahanak Canal. Ban Khrua village where his silk weavers lived
and worked. Is just on the other side of the canal. To build the house
he gathered 6 original traditional teak structure from different parts
of the country and brought carpenter from Ayutthaya who completed the
house in 1959.
The gardens are equally impressive with a lush
tropical jungle imitating nature’s haphazard beauty right in the center
of the city.
Jim Thompsons connoisseur collection of antiques
and artifacts is on permanent exhibition, making this a magnificent
museum of the lifestyle of the legend.
History:
Jim Thompson was born
in Greenville, Delaware, in 1906. He was an architect prior to the
Second World War. During the war he came to Asia. He arrived to Bangkok
as an intelligence officer a short time after the war ended. After
leaving the service, he decided to settle in Thailand permanently.
His
most valuable contribution was the revival of the Thai silk industry.
He implemented the use of wider, more efficient looms, and color-fast
chemical dyes instead of the traditional plant-derived dyes that faded
quickly unless carefully protected. He also designed new patterns and
sent his ware to European fashion centers, gradually building
international fame for Thai silk. A breakthrough came in 1950, when an
international costume designer chose his silk to be featured in a
Broadway show called “Blue Night” (the music of which was composed by King
Rama IX himself!). A year later, it got even more exposure when
featured in the costumes for the controversial “King and I”. As a
result, Thai silk became famous, fashionable and profitable, a trend
that continues today.
He gained further
renown due to his efforts to preserve ancient Thai architecture. He
collected derelict teak houses from various places in Central Thailand
(Ayutthaya province and Baan Khrua), brought them to their present site
and assembled them in 1959 in the most authentic way possible.
He
mysteriously disappeared during a visit to the Cameron Highlands in
Malaysia in 1967, leaving behind an impressive legacy of art and
architecture, and this house as his memorial.
THINGS TO KNOW:
Address: Soi Kasemsan 2 , Rama 1 road, opposite National Stadium, Pathum Wan
Tel: (02) 216-7368
Fax: (02)225-9779
To get there :
Taking Skytrain to National Stadium BTS Station or taking bus routes 15, 47, 73, 204
Open: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm every day
Admission: 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for under 25.
Website : www.jimthompsonhouse.com
English, French and Japanese guided tours available.
Misc .:
Scam alert! Beware of nearby touts telling that the house is closed.
No shoes are allowed to be worn inside
No photography is allowed inside the buildings.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
Siam Square
Siam Discovery
MBK
Wat Boromniwat
Chulalongkorn University
|
