Thailand

In the center of Bangkok, the wonderful collection of Jim Thompson's house is worth a visit. A museum that celebrates art and craft heritage!

Jim Thompson's house is located in the heart of the Bangkok metropolitan area, with its characteristic red facade standing by the Saen Saep canal. Inspired by Thai style, the design of the building itself arouses curiosity, and the landscaped garden surrounding it invites leisurely strolls. Upon entering the museum, travelers will be greeted with a cry of amazement: a rich collection of Buddha statues, old wood or paper engravings, silk, blue and white ceramics from China, and many others fill the rooms of the establishment. In accordance with Jim Thompson's wishes, his property was repurposed into a public museum after his death. It is here that the American businessman shares his passion for Middle Eastern fine arts with future generations. An address not to be missed under any circumstances during your trip to Bangkok!

Museum history

Jim Thompson: The fervent collector who resettled in Bangkok

The construction of the building dates back to the late 1950s. The owner himself, Jim Thompson, was a legend and a national figure. He was not only a fervent collector who spent his fortune building up a personal artistic heritage. Originally from the United States—from the state of Delaware, to be more precise—Jim Thompson was a secret agent by profession, also assuming the roles of businessman and architect. Regarding his private life, his interests branched out into several areas: sculpture, painting, craftsmanship, and antiquities. Is it surprising then that, at the age of 40, the former OSS agent decided to emigrate to Thailand and make Bangkok, the City of Angels, his home?

Journey through the countries of Southeast Asia

The idea of creating an art museum germinated in Jim Thompson's mind after he moved to the capital, Bangkok, in 1946. One can imagine how his artistic soul was fascinated by the craftsmanship of the artisans who crafted the Buddha statues. Knowing that this American army officer loved to travel, one can easily imagine how he was struck by Chinese porcelain works, Laotian tapestries, furniture from Burmese kings, or handmade fabrics from Cambodia. Returning from his travels with a nice bundle of souvenirs, he deemed it appropriate to gather them in a worthy place.

Interest in Thai silk

Once established in Thailand, Jim Thompson became interested in local silk and noted the decline of the industry due to competition from Western products, which sold at better prices. He set out to revive Thai silk on the international fashion scene using two strategies. Firstly, he founded the Thai Silk Company, with George Barrie as a partner, to market Thai silk fabrics in major European capitals such as London, Paris, and Milan. Secondly, he collaborated with Irene Sharaff, an internationally renowned fashion designer, to create a unique silk design that would appear in the musical "The King and I," written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The collaboration between the company and the stylist gave Thai silk wings to conquer the world.

Jim Thompson's house, a posthumous museum

Jim Thompson expressed the desire to transform his home into a public museum after his death. The owner's wish was fulfilled in 1967, when he traveled to Malaysia, to the Cameron Highlands, never to return. There are many rumors about the mysterious causes of his disappearance. Some claim that Jim Thompson got lost in the jungle during a walk. Others attribute the death of the secret agent to a political plot, claiming that he had established relations with the leader of the Communist Party of Malaysia. Proposing the same interpretation, a recent documentary released in 2017 talks about assassination. Regardless, Jim Thompson deserves credit for contributing to the artistic and cultural radiance of Southeast Asia by passing on his private collection to posterity. The management of the posthumous museum is entrusted to the James H.W. Thompson Foundation, itself under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Today

Built entirely of teak wood, Jim Thompson's residence resembles an architectural jewel. It has the discreet and charming appearance of 19th-century Ayutthaya houses. Visitors will delight in touring this 1,600-square-meter estate. The green patchwork planted in the center of the capital is just a taste. The museum consists of a series of six traditional buildings that communicate with each other via walkways. The grand salon, formerly used as a weaving workshop, is the product of recycling debris from a Bangkrua structure. Jim Thompson transported the materials by river, then gathered and restored them to create an original building that expresses the dominant traits of Thai residential architecture.

The museum's treasures come from donations, travel souvenirs, and antiquities that the businessman carefully collected year after year. Admire the golden Buddha statues, standing or sitting cross-legged, sporting a mysterious smile. The sculptors managed to convey enlightenment with a vigorous touch. From paper prints to wood engravings, passing through looms, visitors will learn about the highlights of the lives of Buddha and Vessantara Jataka. Thai painters from all generations are represented. But that's not all. A series of furniture, fabrics, jewelry, and antiques from Burma, Cambodia, and Laos will pass before your eyes. Chinese porcelain utensils, introduced to Thailand between the 16th and 17th centuries, are the museum's main attraction.

The establishment houses silk creations made by Jim Thompson's company. If you want to buy gifts, there is a shop on-site. Among the items sold are scarves, shawls, cushions, and shirts.

From time to time, the museum also organizes traditional dance performances.

Practical information

Jim Thompson's house is located in the heart of Bangkok, at 6 Soi Kamesan 2, Rama 1 Road. It is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..

Price

The site applies a different entrance fee for each age group: 200 baht for adults compared to 100 baht for students and young people under 22 years old. Age is verified by ID. Children under 10 enter for free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Good to know

Discovering the museum's pieces requires the company of a local guide. Self-guided tours are not accepted. Depending on the foreign language of your choice, you can choose a guide who speaks French, English, Chinese, or Japanese. Of course, a guided tour in Thai is available for residents.

Another important point: tradition dictates that you enter barefoot. Take off your shoes and leave your belongings with the concierge. Taking photos inside the buildings is prohibited.

How to get there?

To get to Jim Thompson's house, you have several transportation options: taxi, tuk-tuk, or skytrain. The more demanding will take a private car.

If you opt for the skytrain, the stop is at National Stadium. The museum house is just 200 meters from this location; simply follow the signs to find your way.

Since Jim Thompson's house is located on the banks of the Saen Saep canal, access to the site is a good excuse for a boat ride. You board the Saen Saep Express Boat and disembark at the Tha Saphan Hua Chang pier, in front of which the museum stands.