Jim Thompson House and Museum, Shop and Restaurant, Bangkok

You must have heard of Jim Thompson if you have been to Thailand. He was an American spy, entrepreneur, architect and founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. He developed a fondness for Thailand and its people and decided to settle in the country but what happened to him after his sudden disappearance during a hike in Malaysia still remains a mystery. 

His former residence which is now a museum is filled with exquisite antique paintings, sculptures, porcelains and other items of art from Ayutthaya, Burma, China and Cambodia. Jim Thompson House is a gorgeous teak wood structure that incorporates traditional Thai architecture with a Western style plan. This charming house is surrounded by lush tropical gardens located along the 'klong' (river canal).

I have always been fascinated with British Colonial style decorating. My several trips to Thailand and Singapore has made me fall in love with this graceful bygone era even more. Hence, a trip to Jim Thompson House and Museum is a must for me. Beautiful, quiet and charming, this place is a must-visit for anyone visiting Bangkok. 

   (above) Chinese Ming Vases 

If you love arts and architecture then this is a must see. The house is absolutely lovely and I greatly enjoyed learning more about its history and Jim Thompson's life. It's a snapshot of history frozen in time.

 Note: Cameras and shoes are not allowed inside and you need to leave your bags in the lockers.

(above)  Traditional Thai houses are made of teak and this living room has a Victorian chandelier hanging on the ceiling.

The Museum

 

There are plenty of things to do here. You can either go to their restaurant and try their delicious Thai dishes or just outside the restaurant you can watch live demonstrations on how silk is being processed. You can also go for a walk around the gardens or explore the museum upstairs. Jim Thompson Silk is known for its beautiful high quality silk textiles. Visiting the shop is a must for those who love the finer things in life. Before heading out, look for the golf cart shuttle. It is free for guests to use so you won't have to walk an extra 200 meters to reach the main road.

The Shop

The Restaurant

Thai Iced Tea

Lemongrass Soda

Guay Tiew Phad See Iew Gai Rue Moo Rue Goong
Stir fried flat rice noodles. egg. kailan, soy sauce and prawn

Phad Mee Korat
country style stir-fried Korat noodles and chicken and chilli

Yam Som
fresh pomelo salad with prawns, fried shallots, roasted coconut and peanuts, sweet-sour dressing

For bargain hunters, you must drop by Jim Thompson Factory Outlet. 
We were headed to Bo.lan for lunch but decided to make a side trip here. There is no way I was going to miss this. 

 

Jim Thompson House and Museum
6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Rd, Bangkok

Jim Thompson Factory Outlet

153 Sukhumvit Soi 93, Bangkok