For the Love of Silk and Travel
Jim Thompson House Museum
January 27th, 2021
Following yesterday’s Bangkok beauty, today we’re exploring a special place on one of the city’s canals. Bangkok’s busy streets and car traffic overshadow the vast network of canals reaching across the city. Riding a boat to the next destination can be a more peaceful and enjoyable experience.
The Jim Thompson House Museum sits alongside one of these canals, right in the middle of downtown Bangkok. Jim Thompson served in the U.S. Office of Strategic Services during World War II. During and after his service, he worked in various roles related to foreign relations with Thailand. His fondness for the country led to his founding of the Thai Silk Company Limited in 1951. With a workforce of Thai women, Thailand’s silk industry was revived. (I think it’s important to emphasize that, although Thompson is often solely credited for this accomplishment and called “The King of Silk”, it never could have been achieved without the Thai women who knew the age-old techniques and traditions of the craft.)
While living in Thailand, Thompson created the home that is now a museum and sanctuary in the middle of Bangkok. The home is made of several antique wood structures from around Thailand, all traditional-style architecture, connected by brick paths and gardens. Thompson filled his home with art and antiques collected from all over the world, some of which are still displayed.
Jim Thompson’s stores remain throughout Thailand and Asia, filled with exquisite silk products including bags, pillows, shirts, ties, scarves and more. For me, a visit to the Jim Thompson factory outlet is a part of any visit to Bangkok.
Jim Thompson store, Bangkok
So, what happened to Jim Thompson? It’s a mystery. In 1967, while visiting friends in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, he vanished. Theories abound as to what happened (he was kidnapped; he got lost in the jungle; he returned to his work as a spy), but no evidence has been found and no conclusion has been made.
For me, the story of Jim Thompson is a reminder of the possibilities of travel. Arriving in Thailand from the U.S. during a war, he probably never expected his love of the country would lead him to build a new life, new business and new home in Bangkok. And right there is the nugget: If we don’t travel and explore, if we don’t see and learn, we don’t know what we’re missing of ourselves. Traveling is an additive process, like putting pieces into a puzzle, until finally we see fully who we are in the context of the world.
***
More tomorrow from Singapore. Breathe deeply and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
See you then,
Kelly
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
compassandcamera.wordpress.com 
I continue to meditate on your last sentences. I agree that travelling, seeing other ways of life is enriching. As for the Jim Thompson Museum, it is more what I like, I am glad you thought of presenting it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a feeling you would like the JT house, with its architecture and beautiful outdoor spaces. Cheers to an enriching discovery. 🙂
LikeLike
An incredible house! Get me on that boat, right away! 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Me too! Let’s go, Jo!! I can’t wait! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved our visit to Bangkok and Jim Thompson’s house. Thanks for bringing back the memories of four years ago.
LikeLike
Cool that you’ve been there! Not many people seem to know about JT’s house. Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful house with a lush tropical garden! I think I remember seeing Jim Thompson somewhere (maybe in Bangkok, or other cities in Asia), but I didn’t know who he was and what he did. Thanks for this introduction, Kelly. I love what you say at the end of this post because it resonates with my own experience. I learn that the more I travel, the more I understand myself and what I want and can do. But there is still a lot to explore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great point! As travel reveals more about ourselves, the urge to keep going is hard to resist. With every trip comes more self-awareness, learning, growth. All good things! Great to hear from you. Hope you’re doing well and staying healthy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve already mentioned how much I adored my visit to the peaceful refuge of this house, and I love your words about the power of travel and its effects on us as people (was 2020 ‘subtractive?’ I might say so in my case!). But now for the important stuff: where the heck is the Jim Thompson factory outlet??!! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi! Such a great point that 2020 was subtractive. I’m definitely feeling that. So… the factory outlet (AMAZING) is a short walk from the Bang Chak skytrain station. You can see photos of the inside of the store (it’s four stories!!) on Google maps if you plug in the address which should bring up the “Jim Thompson Factory Outlet.” Click on the photo at top left which will display all the photos of the store that have been loaded to Google Maps. Here’s the address to copy/paste: 153 Sukhumvit Soi 93, Prakanong district, Bangkok, Thailand. – 10260
LikeLiked by 1 person
Copied and pasted right into my SE Asia itinerary document! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the wonderful text and photos.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Geri! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks super. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
LikeLike
A couple of notes on this one, Kelly. The first is that as soon as I saw the carved wooden elephant I turned and looked at ours. An exact replica. My guess is that Peggy picked it up in the pre-Curt days when she lived in the Philippines. Two, the legacy of Thompson was still very much alive when I visited the Cameron Highlands in 1976. I was warned before going out on jungle hikes to be especially careful. It didn’t stop me, but I confess that I kept a sharp eye out. –Curt
LikeLike
This brought back some good memories – of the whole complex, of the canals, and of gorgeous silk. I like what you said about travel.
Alison
LikeLike
So many things to love about Bangkok! Thanks, Alison.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved that Jim Thompson store — even though all I could afford was one scarf and a lipstick holder. It’s the little things, though, that help me remember the big ones. And this store was big for me — so much quality, so beautifully displayed, and so interesting – his story, that is. Would love to return.
LikeLike
The lipstick holders, LOL! I have three and some small makeup and jewelry bags. I just love them, every time I look at them and I’m not even a shopper — except for there. Terri at Gallivance (do you know her?) shares the same obsession with JT. I agree with you — the quality and beauty is unmatched.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that about Terri. And something I didn’t mention: there were many items I just couldn’t afford. Thus, the lipstick holders were affordable gifts and reminders that you can take a little luxury home with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! A bit of luxury is always nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person