Story of the mysterious Jim Thompson’s house in Bangkok

The Jim Thompson House is more than just another museum in Bangkok. Before his mysterious and sudden disappearance in to the thick Malaysian jungle, Jim Thompson was said to have built this house by combining six traditional Thai houses made from teakwood, to portray his love for Thailand and their culture. Sent to the country following the end of his military service in World War 2, Jim Thompson was a trained architect and an enthusiast and collector of Asian objets d’art. He spent the next 30 years of his life reviving the ancient art of Thai silk and introduced it to western markets like at Paris, London, New York and Milan fashion shows and markets.

When you’re staying in the city at a Sukhumvit hotel in Bangkok, accommodation providers such as Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 are located in close proximity to the Jim Thompson House, which makes it an ideal place to visit.

The first floor of the house is decorated with various wall hangings obtained from various Buddhist temples. These murals usually depict the tales of the Buddha’s lives and his spiritual journey. The entrance to the kitchen is guarded by a Buddha image made of sandstone, however this now houses a collection of Benjarong porcelain ware. The dining room located inside the 19th century villa has two Chinese mah-jong tables and a blue and white porcelain set that’s laid out on the table.

Though he has left a majority of traditional Thai styles, he has changed a few fixtures to suit modern trends, such as the staircase and the bathrooms are located indoors, as opposed to being outdoors. Each room is meticulously decorated to depict local styles with antique collections and ancient art pieces.

Guided tours are available for those who wish to learn more about Jim Thompson. The house is open for tourists from 9am to 5pm, with the last guided tour starting at 5pm.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+