Jim Thompson House & Baan Krua Community Tour

Yes, the round trip transfer is included in this tour, but they are limited to major hotels and locations in Silom, Sathorn, Sukhumvit, Chinatown and Khaosan Road.

Yes, there will be an english speaking guide, who will accompany you throughout the tour. The guides are well trained, knowledgeable and passionate about their work, you will get to learn a lot with them in depth about the two destinations that this tour is covering. Without a guide the tour remains slightly directionless, hence to bring you a tour, full of interesting facts, we provide a guide who can communicate with you in fluent english and make the entire tour interactive for you.

No, photography is only allowed outside the campus in both the places. The places included in this tour are not mainstream tourist spots, so when you post your pictures, don’t be shocked by your social media flooding from questions like, where on the earth, did you find this beauty! The same photographs will let you cherish the moment, ahead in your life.

James Harrison Wilson Thompson was born in 1906 in Greenville, Delaware in the United States. His father was a textile manufacturer, whilst his mother was the daughter of a prominent Union General. Jim spent the years 1931-1940 working as an architect in New York City, designing homes for the elite. He found an interest in costume design and textiles whilst working on the board of the famous Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In the year 1941, JIm enlisted in the Delaware National Guard. When war broke out, Thompson worked for the Office of Strategic Services (the precursor of the CIA) and was stationed all over the world. Around 1945, Thompson was transferred to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where preparations were underway to invade Thailand. Japan’s surrender eliminated the need for such an invasion and in August of the same year, Jim arrived by military plane in Thailand. In 1947, Thompson’s first breakthrough came upon the discovery of an enclave of Thai weavers who lived in an idyllic small community called Ban Krua, in the heart of Bangkok. Thompson had his fresh portfolio of hand-woven silks sent to New York. The silks captivated the leading names in fashion, including Edna Woolman Chase, the influential editor of Vogue Magazine Following on from the excellent reception in New York, Thompson’s Thai Silk business prospered and in 1950 he opened his first shop on the iconic Surawong Road in Bangkok. Jim also acquired a diverse collection of Thai art. By the late 1950’s, his collection was so extensive that he built a place to house his splendid antique collection. In 1959, Thompson’s famous House on the Klong, made up of six old teakwood houses in Bangkok (Banh Krua) and Ayutthaya province (Pak Hai), was completed. On Sunday March 26th 1967, while holidaying in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, Jim went for a walk and never returned. His disappearance triggered one of the largest search operations in the region since 400 men were dispatched to search. However, the body of Jim Thompson was never found.Abounding theories surrounded his disappearance, ranging from kidnapping, assassination, tiger attacks and suggestions that he simply lost his way. While Jim Thompson may be synonymous with elegant silk, the name is equally well known for the legendary disappearance that continues to mystify to this day.

The closest stations to The Jim Thompson House are: Ban Krua Nua is 91 meters away, 2 min walk. Hua Chang (Siam Square) is 240 meters away, 4 min walk. Bangkok Art Gallery is 373 meters away, 5 min walk. National Stadium is 708 meters away, 10 min walk. National Stadium is 801 meters away, 11 min walk.

It will take approximately 3-4 hours for exploring both the places.

Yes. You will not only see Chiang artifacts, instead you will witness Thailand’s elegant architecture and artwork which is beyond glimmer temples and delicate structures.This tour will cover the two most unique and elegant architecture of Thailand first is Suan Pakkad Palace which is a former royal residence with eight traditional teakwood houses and a beautiful garden. However, the Chiang artifacts still remain the main highlight of this place.

There are visions which have got vanished for a long time and Suan Pakkad Palace is that one place to find those visions. The name of this place means ‘cabbage patch’ which is in reference to when the land was nothing more than that! Today the same place is well-tended tropical garden, surrounded by beautiful and serene ponds and eight traditional Thai house, each of which brims to overflowing with fine arts, antiques and oddities belonging to Prince and Princess Chumbhot. The residence was converted to a museum in 1952, with a spirit of sharing. You will get to see rare items of painted pottery, bronze weapons and tools, attest to a Southeast Asian civilisation that equals Egypt and Stonehenge in terms of technological and social advancement.