Jim Thompson, Bangkok

Before I lived in Thailand I had a fascination with Jim Thompson, the American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world and disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

I am drawn to the beauty of his fabrics, the colours, and vibrancy in everything from his cushions, his ties, his curtains and his frocks and whether he was indeed killed by a tiger or was he murdered? (Cue da da da daaaaar music)

I should so be a Jim Thompson ambassador, I would love to have the whole house and me decked out in J.T. In my dreams! Or maybe I’ll start with choosing Mr Wren a tie… now what colour should I buy?

Who was Jim Thompson?

Jim Thompson was renown as the most famous foreigner in Siam, as Thailand was known then. The fact that he died in these mysterious circumstances in 1967 after twenty-five years of living in Bangkok just adds to the intrigue.

Perhaps more remarkable is that the business he founded lives on to this day. His fabrics, the farm, the art, the museum and the restaurants all form part of his legacy.

Jim Thompson’s life:

Jim Thompson came from a family of great travelers and his father ran a textile business, he studied architecture and after leaving the military (yes he was even a spy for a while, are you beginning to rule out the taken by a tiger idea too…?!) he settled in Thailand. He bought the land for his house on the river (Klong) opposite a weaving village. His empire brought Thai silk to the world and provided income for thousands of Thailand’s poorest people.

Being an architect he had an eye for a good block of land, as you will see if you visit his house. His house has been preserved as a museum and very little has changed from the day he walked out to go trekking in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and never returned. They say it was a good party house!

Jim Thompson Museum in Bangkok:

Address: พระราม 1 Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330

As you enter the museum grounds you are likely to see some traditional silk weaving and you will notice immediately even with all the tourists, what the beautiful setting. The gardens are lush and his house is actually a series of six wooden teak houses which were transported and reconstructed from elsewhere in Thailand.

We will often take visitors to his house beside the river, each entry ticket comes with a guided tour, where you leave your shoes at the door and slip into a bygone age. As you tread on the teak wooden floors you begin to learn more about his extraordinary life, his silk trade business and the furniture in his house. I am sorry that no photographs are allowed inside, as it really is stunning.

After the tour, you can shop (but be warned it’s not cheap!) or stay for lunch. There is a tuk-tuk shuttle which takes you back to the Skytrain station, but it’s not that far to walk.

Silk is so exotic, it is a great fabric to wear in our Sweaty Betty climate as it is cool, but the fact that it is dry clean only still makes it only for special occasions for me. You can find Jim Thompson shops all over Bangkok, and at the airport, as you leave.

I was recently given this pink scarf which I just love, interestingly it is not silk but the softest cotton, again it’s his colours that are so cheerful, don’t you think?!

Jim Thompson Outlet Store in Bangkok:

Address: Soi Sukhumvit 93, Khwaeng Bang Chak, Khet Phra Khanong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10260

My favourite place to shop is not the stores, they are great for a visit and a coffee but way too expensive for my budget. I like the Jim Thompson outlet store, which is possible to reach by skytrain, it is a long way out of the centre at Sukhumvit Soi 63, but worth the trek for the savings to be had.

Here you can buy his fabrics from the roll, there are floors of furnishings, clothes, bags, it is great for small gifts. The top floor has a coffee shop and products from his farm.