Jim Thompson House

The Jim Thompson House is now a museum in Bangkok. It is a complex of various old Thai structures that the American businessman Jim Thompson collected from all parts of Thailand in the 1950s and 1960s. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand.

As Thompson was building his silk company, he also became a major collector of Southeast Asian art, which at the time was not well-known internationally. He built a large collection of Buddhist and secular art not only from Thailand but from Burma, Cambodia, and Laos, frequently travelling to those countries on buying trips.

In 1958 he began what was to be the pinnacle of his architectural achievement, a new home to showcase his art collection. Formed from parts of six antique Thai houses, his home (completed in 1959) sits on a klong (canal) across from Bangkrua, where his weavers were then located. Most of the 19th-century houses were dismantled and moved from Ayutthaya, but the largest, a weaver's house (now the living room), came from Bangkrua.

Today visitors are led on a guided tour, provided daily to the public, with a small entrance fee. The grounds have been maintained in the same manner as were originally designed by Mr. Thompson. Many features of the house are a combination of traditional Thai architecture combined with Western influences. The grounds have a number of service quarters that now serve as museum showcases displaying many of the treasures from Mr. Thompson's collection.

A retail store providing Jim Thompson brand items is located at the entrance, and a museum of Silk treasures is located above this building. Near the entrance building is a restaurant that serves fine Thai cuisine to visitors. The original entrance to the house, an enclosure that stands on the klong, is still in place, with the current entrance being the former service entrance.

Today the house, at 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, is run by The James H. W. Thompson Foundation under the royal patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

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Eva Drago
1 August 2016
One of my fave spots in Bangkok. Built by an American war hero who revitalized the Thai silk industry. Stunning example of Thai architecture. Take a tour, and enjoy this little respite from the city!
Alex M
21 December 2018
Top spot in Bangkok. Impressive looking traditional thai housing complex. Mix of history, architecture, antiques, crafts (silk-weaving). Inexpensive & easily accessible. Great restaurant & shop, too.
Amy B
26 March 2016
Beautifully houses, nice free, short tour (only way to see it) & inexpensive entrance. All goes to charity & preservation so grab a drink/food in the restaurant.
Lucille Fisher
7 March 2023
Been here a many times since the 80’s & the museum has expanded with cafe & party/conference space & library. The store has gotten bigger & the original houses are so well maintained. A must visit.
Eleni Miliou
25 April 2015
Amazing place. Impressive traditional Thai architecture, a wide collection of century old antiques and Thai art, beautiful gardens and ambience. You can watch live silk-weaving and traditional dance!
pin lee
2 August 2019
200B per pax - includes 35 min guide in d house n garden. No photo taking inside house. Informative tour, n beautiful house w many antique furniture n statues. 5 min walk fr National Stadium BTS.
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Soi Kasem San 2, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand Get directions
Mon-Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

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