Fangirl post on Jim Thompson

So here’s the story about an interesting American bloke called Jim Thompson: a former military officer and a secret service agent, who moved to Bangkok post WW2 and somehow made a name for himself as an architect, an art-collector and who is responsible for the booming Thai silk industry. Seriously mate, how the hell did you do all this in your lifetime? Just to make his life extra spicy and worthy of a movie, he disappeared around 40 years ago while he was in Malaysia – his body still hasn’t been found, and some say he was still working for the secret services when he disappeared – or that he’s still alive. Super fascinating stuff.

 

Though his name has been turned into a profitable brand, with a Jim Thomson Bar and Restaurant opposite his house and a touristy souvenir shop with everything labelled ‘JT’ – his house is still authentic. And seriously, seriously, seriously, he had the coolest private collection of art you will ever see in what was once a private house.

The Art

Most of his artwork has a Buddhist theme running through it, with Buddha featuring in almost every single piece. Interesting though, they’ve been collected from different parts of Asia – most from Thailand, but also a notable amount from Burma, and some porcelain and Buddha statues from China and India. What’s intriguing is how the different countries depict their own unique Buddha.

The Indian Buddha is a gym-junkie, with a solid amount of muscle on him, and has a calm and peaceful expression. The Chinese Buddha is a wee bit more serious and stern looking, and his physique is more like a marathon runner compared to the Indian gym-junkie Buddha. The Thai one looks cheeky AF – and has lavish bits of gold everywhere on him. He looks like the most fun out of them all. (I’m really gutted I couldn’t take photos and post them here – but you can get a rough idea on their official website!)

The House 

Did I mention he built his own house? Though an American, he kept all the good bits about a Thai house. Like not having a toilet indoors, instead having a wee potty for a wee-wee under his bed (which is shaped like a cat – it’s only for the lads, and you hold the tail, take off the head and pee inside the cat – poor kitty, I was lol’ing so hard) and tiled floors so the house doesn’t overheat in the summer. The garden is also stunning – with small ponds here and there with carps swimming in it.

When he disappeared, obviously people fought over his house and his artwork. Somehow someone found his will hidden inside the roof (man, you’re alty Jim) – and the house went to his nephew. But his nephew was equally a GC and gave the house to the Thai government, who turned it into a public museum.

Silk

So good old Jim fell in love with Thai silk, made his own designs and sent them to locals who wove silk. Thanks to him, the Thai silk industry is the international success it is today. You are superman, Jim.

Plz do visit if you’re ever in Siam, Bangkok – worth your 100 BHT. ($4) It’s only a 5min walk from BTS Siam Station, and a perfect day-trip if you combine it with shopping at MBK or Siam Paragon.

PS: Jim if you’re still alive and living out there somewhere, I’m defo your fan girl x0x0

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Check out the official website for the museum here.