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Results 1-10of 10 Reviews
by garymarsh6
Gravesend, United Kingdom
October 12, 2009
From journal Thailand
by barbara
Atlanta, Georgia
August 15, 2008
From journal Balmy Bangkok
by NiceGinna
Evanston, Illinois
July 27, 2008
From journal Two Weeks in Thailand
by bettybetty10
Dallas, Texas
July 8, 2008
From journal Hot Hot Hot Bangkok
by SeenThat
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
January 20, 2008
From journal Bangkok's Attractions
by Miek37
Rotterdam, Netherlands
September 4, 2007
From journal Thailand trip
by LenR
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
May 2, 2007
From journal Bangkok Sightseeing
by Laura Rabbit
Chicago, Illinois
June 27, 2003
Aside from the beautiful relics found at Jim Thompson's house, each tour group is given a pleasant guide who explains various facets of the home and life of Jim Thompson. The landscaping is lovely with a lot of plantlife and ponds. Attached is an over-priced giftshop and a pleasant cafe serving smoothies and icecream etc. Beware of the Durian.
You will leave wishing you lived there.
Photos are not allowed inside parts of the house.
Open 9am - 4:30. 100 baht admission Take Skytrain to W1 National Stadium Station. Take Exit 1 and go strait ahead to the end of Soi Kasemsan 2.
From journal Jet-lagged in Bangkok... get over it
by Ishtar
Bayside, New York
December 14, 2002
His house has been transformed into a museum, and the tour is well worth it. The gift shop is absolutely marvelous, despite the fact that it exploits his name shamelessly. The quality and selection of gift items is unmatched; you are left to browse to your heart’s content and no one will try to sell you anything.
Since it was strictly forbidden to take photos in the interior of the house complex, you can go here and have a look at the few photographs, but more importantly, the configuration and design of the house itself.
An architect by training, Thompson had the walls of the main house turned inside out, so that the beauty of the teak could be admired. All the doors are at an angle so as to remain true to the shape of the reclining roof. There are six structures all told, and for each, materials came from all over the country for their assembly.
He was also a great collector, and one can see, especially in the famous drawing room, the trophies brought back from his travels. I especially liked the drums that became lamp bases. All the rooms have raised thresholds, which are supposed to keep evil spirits at bay; more practically, as we were informed by our guide, they also keep young babies from falling into the rivers.
Thompson sought the advice of a Buddhist monk for the most propitious time to have his house built; unfortunately, the spirits did not favor him in the long run.
The house is replete with windows and there are lots of open areas that allow for cross ventilation. The furnishings are quite elaborate and many are decorated with mother of pearl inlaid into the wood. Under the window sills are carvings that one usually finds in wealthy homes or temples. An image of Buddha at the entrance has a special niche, and facing his bed, there is a large inscribed stone which must have some spiritual meaning.
Thompson also managed to emulate the exotic flora of Southeast Asia on the grounds of his house. Narrow paved walkways separate the wild growth, and every once in a while, you’ll catch some dazzling group of flowers. The house is on the banks of one of the city’s many khlongs. And he was quite the host: people loved being invited to Thompson’s house, which probably welcomed the world’s who’s who. As they would come in the front door, their feet would touch black and white marble tiles that had been imported from Italy, and if they faced the staircase, they’d see huge paintings in the traditional Chinese style hanging.
From journal Thailand Ties - Part I
by Kathy
Northern Va Suburbs of DC, Virginia
November 5, 2000
From journal Bangkok... city of bad traffic