Must See Thailand - Jim Thompson's House

This is a fine example of authentic Thai residential architecture, with an impressive collection of southeast Asian art within. Located at the end of an undistinguished soi (lane) next to Khlong Saen Saeb, the premises once belonged to the American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who successfully promoted Thai silk to Western markets.

Not to be confused with the notorious hardboiled crime author of the same name, Jim Thompson was a New York architect who briefly served in the Office of Strategic Services (forerunner of the CIA) in Thailand during WWII. After the war he found New York too tame and moved to Bangkok. Thai silk caught his eye and he sent samples to fashion houses in Europe, building an international clientele for a craft in danger of dying out.

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• art-related, significant house