Jim Thompsons house

[MeMock]

This has always got me a little confused. I have always thought I should check this place out but it seems that there are two places. Is this correct?

One is around the siam area and stuffed if I can remember where the other one is (if there really is one). One you can catch a boar to as well I read somewhere.

Is there 1 or 2 places? What is the best one?

Where is it?

Is it worth visiting?

[dirtydog]

One house on the river.


PROFILE:
Jim Thompson, an American who was born Greenville, Delaware, in 1906 practiced architect prior to World War II, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army, campaigned in Europe, and came to Asia as part of the force that planned to liberate Thailand. However, the war ended before the operation. He arrived in Bangkok a short time later as a military intelligence officer attached to the O.S.S. After leaving the service, he decided to return and live in Thailand permanently.

The hand weaving of silk, a long neglected cottage industry, captured Jim Thompson's attention, and he devoted himself to reviving the craft. Highly gifted as a designer and textile colorist, he contributed substantially to the industry's growth and to the worldwide recognition accorded to Thai silk. He gained further known through the construction of this house combining six teak buildings which represented the best of traditional Thai architecture. Most of the houses were at least two centuries old and were easily dismantled and brought to the present site, some from as far away as the old capital of Ayutthaya.

In his quest for authenticity, Jim Thompson adhered to the customs of the early builders in most respects. The houses were elevated a full story above the ground, a practical Thai precaution to avoid flooding during the rainy season, and the roof tiles were fired in Ayutthaya employing a design common centuries ago but rarely used today. The red paint on the outside walls is a preservative commonly found on many old Thai buildings. The chandeliers were electrified as a concession to modern convenience, but even they belong to a past era, having come from 18th and 19th century Bangkok palaces.

All the traditional religious procedures were followed during construction of the house, and on a date in the spring of 1959, decreed as being auspicious by astrologers, Jim Thompson moved in. The house and the art collection soon became such a point of interest that he decided to open it to the public with proceeds donated to Thai charities and to projects directed at the preservation of Thailand's rich cultural heritage.

On March 27th 1967, Jim Thompson disappeared while on a visit to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Not a single clue has turned up in the ensuing years as to what might have happened to him. His famous Thai house, however, remains as a lasting reminder of his creative ability and his deep love of Thailand. In 1976, the Thai Court appointed administrator for the property of Jim Thompson received permission from government ministries of the Kingdom of Thailand to legally establish the James H W Thompson Foundation.

BUY JIM THOMPSON BOOK
Jim Thompson: The House on the Klong

By William Warren, Jean-Michel Beurdeley, Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, Luca Invernizzi (Photographer)

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Last updated -- March 30, 2001
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[kingwilly]

worth visiting IMHO - an oasis of calm and quiet in the mad city

[aging one]

One is a silk shop top end to say the least. The other a beautiful Thai house and compound. The house is a 10 minute walk from MBK the shop 10 minutes from Patpong. If you want the best silk get it there. Hopefully it will be sale time.

[MeMock]

ahhh, I have seen the sign on suriwong rd. That must be the shop.

So the thai house and compond is the way to go by the sounds of it. Take a taxi to 'jim thompson house' or should I be asking for 'baan paa mai'?

[aging one]

Jim Thompsons house. Have the hotel write it for you. Its opposite MBK the cross street Phyathai going north. So if you aint near siam sq. Discovery Center of MBK you are not in the right place.
From Windsor Suites take the SkyTrain and get off at National stadium or Siam its a 10 to 15 minute walk. Assuming you will have a pram.

[colourful-era]

One you can catch a boar to as well I read somewhere.

Where is it?

not sure where that one is but sounds like a real piggyback...

[aging one]

Plus an inability to read after a few beers. Cheers Colorful.

[MeMock]

One you can catch a boar to as well I read somewhere.

Where is it?

not sure where that one is but sounds like a real piggyback...

haha classic.

[Marmite the Dog]

I've got a nice little Bangkok Guide book you can borrow if you want MM - It's got all that stuff in it.

[klongmaster]

JT's house is one of the nice things to do whilst in Bkk
it's actually 3 thai houses, bought up country, dismantled and reassembled as one house here in Bkk
it's near the end of the soi, by the klong - hence your ref to a boat (boar) - but the best way as stated above is the BTS to the National Stadium, which is the end of the line, leave on the RHS in the direction your travelling - the soi is near the bottom of the BTS
you have to pay...forget how much the entry fee is
don't use their cafe...they charge like a wounded bull

[dirtydog]

JT's house is one of the nice things to do whilst in Bkk

I have been to the house, I wondered whether it was one of the nice things to do while in BKK, and here I have proof that visiting BKK is a waste of time

[MeMock]

Cheers klongy, you are a wealth of information.

[poolcleaner]

Cheers klongy, you are a wealth of information.

He's just not good with distances

[MeMock]

Thats for sure.

[DrAndy]

ahhh, I have seen the sign on suriwong rd. That must be the shop.

So the thai house and compond is the way to go by the sounds of it. Take a taxi to 'jim thompson house' or should I be asking for 'baan paa mai'?

yes, it's a nice place. I used to stay just behind there

near MBK, there are three sois in a row off the main road, it is in soi2


Kasem Sung, soi song

[Whiteshiva]

yes, it's a nice place. I used to stay just behind there

near MBK, there are three sois in a row off the main road, it is in soi2


Kasem Sung, soi song

Just to add to the OP - "Jim Thompson" is a silk shop with branches several places in Bangkok (Surawong Rd and Empiom), whereas JT's house is, as several posters have noted, where the man stayed.

I quite liked the latter - very tastefully decorated garden and the houses are filled with antiques. The silk shops are nice too, but way too pricy for my liking..... they are still worth a visit though.

WS

[MeMock]

Well you have convinced me I'm gonna go have a look see.

So sky train to national get off and continue in the direction the train came in and get off on the rhs. the soi is called soi 2 and I go down there.

Mate - I'm sorted - cheers everyone!

[Goddess of Whatever]

I've never been there also, MeMock. I will have to go there also.

[aging one]

I will hand draw you a map and have the kids write it in Thai. You can pick up the map when we meet.

[klongmaster]

I've never been there also, MeMock. I will have to go there also.

That's true GoW
Most Thais never go to these kind of places
but i used to take my students there and they were surprised at finding something so nice in the middle of Bkk

He's just not good with distances

you got me poolie...comes from years of telling girls i've got a 10" dick

ooops IP's

[klongmaster]

Jim Thompson's house is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is Bht100 and there are always volunteer guides around to explain the collection to visitors. (Tel: 215-0122)

My favourite place in bangkok is Vimanmek. If you go to the grand palace your ticket will also gain you entry to vimanmek. Otherwise you can pay there.

Vimanmek Palace: Also called the Castle in the Clouds, Vimanmek Palace was built by King Rama V and is said to be the largest teakwood building in the world Behind the National Assembly Building this three-story, 81-room palace stands by a picturesque lake in quiet, shady grounds. Besides the intricate architecture, the impressive collection of paintings, objets d'art and royal jewelry are points of in interests. Vimamek Palace is open daily from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm (last tickets at 3 pm). Admission is Bht50 and you may ask for a guide to show you around. (Tel: 281-1569, 280-5928, 281-8166, 282-8683).

[DrAndy]

Well you have convinced me I'm gonna go have a look see.

So sky train to national get off and continue in the direction the train came in and get off on the rhs. the soi is called soi 2 and I go down there.

Mate - I'm sorted - cheers everyone!

not sure about that, as National Stadium is end of line, so you would be walking back towards Siam Sq. You want to continue in the direction along the line that goes to Ratchaw.

Come out of National at MBK bridge end, turn left, go down to road, do a U turn and head along the main road away from the big junction.

Then it is second on the right.

[DrAndy]

yes, soi Kasem Sung 2

[poolcleaner]

you got me poolie...comes from years of telling girls i've got a 10" dick

ooops IP's

It's easy to confuse inches with centimetres Klongy