JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

Description

Das Wichtigste zum Jim Thompson House

The Jim Thompson House is one of Bangkok’s most famous and extraordinary sights. The ensemble of buildings takes visitors through the fascinating life story of the extraordinary American and into a world of silk, Asian culture and art history. With its magnificent tropical gardens, the Jim Thompson Gouse is also an oasis of peace and art among the skyscrapers and street noise of Bangkok.

Die Person Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson was truly a colorful figure. The US-American was an architect, soldier and secret service agent. After the end of World War II, Thompson moved to Thailand, where he founded his own silk business in 1948. At that time, the now world-famous silk from Thailand was not yet a commercial factor. Rather, families wove silk almost exclusively for their own use, such as for use in ceremonies. By combining industrial manufacturing standards with traditional weaving, he succeeded in disproportionately increasing the quality and volume of the silk produced. Within a few years, Thompson, a highly talented salesman, made Thai silk internationally popular.

Many legends surround Thompson’s death. On March 27, 1967, he disappeared without a trace during a visit to the Cameron Highlands in the jungles of Malaysia. Several searches were unsuccessful. His body was never found, nor were any other traces found.

Die Sammlung des Jim Thompson House

Throughout his life, Thompson was a passionate collector of Far Eastern art. His collection ranges from Buddhist statues to Thai paintings and Chinese vases.

In 1958, Thompson began planning his new home in Bangkok, which would include exhibition space for his art collection. For this purpose, an ensemble of six buildings was constructed in the traditional Thai wooden house style. The buildings, most of which date from the 19th century, were dismantled throughout Thailand and rebuilt on Thompson’s new site in Bangkok.