Built in 1959, the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok is a quiet half-acre respite in the busiest part of the city for tourists.
The museum’s location is perfect – it’s a convenient getaway literally around the corner from the many mega malls in the area, perfect for when those crowds have started to weaken your nerves and patience. Jim Thompson’s home serves as an oasis of arts and culture for travelers with accidental shopping overload. The gardens and peaceful garden contrast with the busy heart of Bangkok.
The Jim Thompson Story
Jim Thompson was an American businessman credited with repairing the Thai silk industry. That doesn’t sound all that exciting, but his story could be a Hollywood one. The mysterious disappearance of a high-profile millionaire, the murder of his sister, the involvement of the CIA, what more do you need? Conspiracy theories abound, but so far, the mystery of Jim Thompson’s disappearance in 1967 remains unsolved.
After starting his career as an architect, Thompson resigned and joined the Delaware National Guard. The desire for more excitement was not too surprising given that her grandfather was James H. Wilson, the Union general whose men captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
During World War II, Jim Thompson was recruited to serve as an agent for the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor of the modern CIA. He arrived in Japanese-occupied Thailand just after Japan’s surrender and established the OSS office in Bangkok.
After leaving the service, Thompson and his partner founded Thai Silk Company Limited in 1948. The move was logical; Thompson’s father had been successful in the textile industry. The Thai Silk Company became very profitable when Jim Thompson traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, building an intimate knowledge of the region. He also amassed rare art and antiques along the way, eventually building a mansion (now the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok) to display.
On March 26, 1967, while staying in a bungalow in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, Jim Thompson, 61, went for a short walk on Easter Sunday and never returned. His behavior was reportedly strange; some accounts even claim that he said “goodnight sweethearts” to his friends when he was leaving that afternoon. A massive search and years of investigation produced neither a body nor an explanation.
In addition to the mystery, Thompson’s older sister was murdered in her Pennsylvania home a few months after she disappeared. Although no one knows if the event is related, that case also remained unsolved.
Where to find Jim Thompson’s house
Conveniently, Jim Thompson’s home is located in the center of the action, just off Rama I Road. There are many options to eat and explore before and after a museum tour.
The closest BTS Skytrain station to the Jim Thompson House is the National Stadium, although you can easily walk 20 minutes from the main Siam BTS station.
Pretty good, all tuk-tuk and taxi drivers will know the Jim Thompson House. You will have to fight to get them to use the meter, or in the case of taking tuk-tuks, you will have to negotiate a better rate before agreeing to go.
The official address is:
Jim Thompson House Museum
6 Soi Kasemsan 2
Rama 1 Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
Visiting Jim Thompson’s house
Although you can look around the front of the garden without company, you must take one of the guided tours to see inside the house.
Depending on how busy the museum is, you may be given time to return for your tour; We will be back 10 minutes earlier. The last tours start at 6pm and are available in Thai, English, French, Chinese, and Japanese.
According to the Thai custom to enter a house or holy place, you are expected to remove your shoes at the beginning of the tour.
Opening times
The Jim Thompson House is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To confirm that the Jim Thompson House is open on major holidays, call +66 2 216 7368.
Entrance fees
- Adults: 200 baht
- Under 22 years: 100 baht (must show ID)
- Children under 10 years: free
What to see
Jim Thompson’s house is one of Bangkok’s top attractions for a number of reasons. Thompson was an architect and designer, so he purposefully built his home with wood paneling and walls taken from ancient structures throughout Thailand. The finished property represents multiple styles and regions.
While the layout of the house itself is impressive, true treasures await inside. During his travels in Southeast Asia, Jim Thompson collected ancient Buddha statues and rare works of art, such as paintings and porcelain. Even much of the furniture is intricately carved and beautiful. Of course, you will also see displays of old looms and colorful silk.
Also in the area
Jim Thompson’s house is located very close to some of Bangkok’s biggest shopping malls along Rama I Road. MBK Center, Siam Discovery and Siam Center are just a 15-minute walk away. Numerous spas and massage shops are also located in the area.
If you decide to walk down Rama I Road, look for the busy Erawan Shrine on the sidewalk about a 25-minute walk from the Jim Thompson House.
Theories about the disappearance of Jim Thompson
The most realistic theory behind Thompson’s disappearance is that he was accidentally killed by a local in a hit-and-run accident. Seeing that Thompson was a wealthy and well-known Westerner, the person driving may have covered up the accident for fear of severe punishment from local authorities. Jim Thompson had left his cigarettes and other personal effects at home, possibly proving that he did not intend to leave for long.
A more outlandish theory is that Jim Thompson was contacted by the CIA for help during the Vietnam War. Given his notoriety, OSS background, and extensive knowledge of the region, the idea is plausible. Thailand was an ally and a base of operations for the United States during the war. Laos was secretly home to Lima Site 6, an airstrip in the mountains used by the CIA’s Air America to fly covert missions. Thompson understood both countries well and had many contacts. Interestingly, the CIA airstrip later turned into Vang Vieng, a popular resort town and stop for backpacking fun!
If Thompson participated in the Vietnam War, he would have had to do so covertly due to his high profile. If so, either things didn’t go as planned or they deliberately never came back.
Although a ransom was never requested, some believe Jim Thompson had been kidnapped. Time magazine reported in 1967 that Thompson “knew many of the agents of Ho Chi Minh.” He could have been killed while trying to escape capture, or simply kidnapped (by Chinese or Vietnamese agents) in a proactive measure to prevent him from helping the United States. during the war. A Malaysian woman interviewed during the investigation reported seeing a convoy of similar vehicles driving down the normally sleepy road on the day she disappeared.
The last, and perhaps the most romantic theory, is that Jim Thompson just had enough and walked away from his empire. He was known to impulsively start over when it occurred to him. Although Thompson was wealthy and successful, he may have wanted to “retire” simply by living in secret with less notoriety. He had the resources, contacts and knowledge of Asia to do it.
