Visit the house and art collection of an American expat who became one of Thailand’s most renowned “farangs” before his mysterious disappearance in the 1960s.
Jim Thompson was an American expat, born in Greenville Delaware in 1906. Bangkok hosts the extravagant house and exquisite art collection of this wealthy doyen, who mysteriously disappeared during the 1960s, with apparently decades of his life still to lead.
This is an opulent house that has been influenced by both West and Eastern style in its decor, reflecting the desire of its deceased owner to fuse differing styles in its design. Today, although much of the original design of the house has been preserved for posterity, its interior has also been turned into a museum, meaning that visitors can not only get an idea of what this historic home looked like, but can find out more about the mythology surrounding Jim Thompson.
Thompson had originally studied architecture, perhaps reflecting why this incredible house is so exquisitely designed and decorated. He grew up in Greenville, but was sent to Thailand to serve in the US army during the Second World War. As soon as he arrived in Thailand, Thompson saw business potential, and moved to Bangkok with this in mind as soon as the war ended.
He was therefore almost single-handedly responsible for resurrecting the silk trade within Thailand, which not only afforded him great personal wealth, but also earned him the Order of the White Elephant award for his exceptional economic service to Thailand. The legend of Thompson is perhaps made more vivid by the fact that he simply disappeared while holidaying in the highlands of Malaysia in 1967.
Thompson’s house is primarily constructed from teak, which he favoured as the main material for the build when the house was first erected just under a decade before his disappearance. The wood was actually secured without using nails using an ancient Thai technique.
If you love eclectic interiors, you’ll love the way that the house combines statues of Buddha, Italian tiles and a Belgian chandelier. There are a number of delicate hangings decorating the house, along with Thompson’s vast art collection. Aside from the house itself, the Jim Thompson Center for Arts hosts a number of exhibits. There is also a high-class in-house restaurant and wine bar. The Jim Thompson House is located opposite the National Stadium, and is accessible by all forms of public transport.
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