Page 76 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND

JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

Art, Silk & Mystery

Mary and I wandered into a different the house itself is a quiet tribute to Thai cul-
world with our visit to the Jim Thompson ture.
House. This peaceful compound of tradi- Lingering intrigue surrounds Thompson.
tional teakwood homes sits in the heart of In 1967, while on vacation in Malaysia, he
Bangkok, yet feels worlds away from the went for a walk in the Cameron Highlands—
city’s chaos. Once home to the American and was never seen again. No clues. No res-
businessman who helped revive Thailand’s olution. Just one of the great travel myster-
silk industry, the house is now a beautifully ies of the 20th century.
curated museum. Guided tours stop in We ended our visit at the on-site bou-
rooms displaying tique and brought
Thompson’s stun- home a gorgeous
ning collection of silk pillowcase as a
Southeast Asian keepsake. The
art—Buddhist complex also in-
sculptures, cludes a restau-
Burmese carvings, rant.
and antique ce- https://jimthomp-
ramics. The sonhouse.org
craftsmanship is
astonishing, and

76 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025