Meet Mr. Thompson

While in Thailand you might see the name Jim Thompson gracing shops, restaurants, hotels and even museums.  He seems to be everywhere!  So who is this man?

A sign outside one of Mr. Thompson's restaurants in Bangkok.

Jim Thompson, born James Harrison Wilson Thompson, was a U.S. citizen who travelled the world because of his work with the C.I.A.  Spending time in Bangkok, Mr. Thompson fell in love with the city and the potential that he saw around him.

Mr. Thompson's garden in Bangkok.  Look at all that beauty.

Around this time Thai Silk was a dying art.  Not many people wanted silk.  It was hand-woven, which made it more expensive than machine-made fabrics.  Jim Thompson was a risk taker and he knew that the natural beauty and brilliance of Thai Silk would attract buyers around the world if he got the colours and patterns right.  People went crazy for his brightly coloured silks and his weaving company took off.

Colourful silk banners hanging all around Jim Thompson's garden.

A closer look at one of the silk banners.

Photo: Laura Muir

Living in Thailand, Jim Thompson, who was also an architect, built many homes across the country.  One of these homes is the famous Jim Thompson House in Bangkok.  This residence is made up of five different houses that were brought in from around the country and put together like a giant puzzle to make up one large home.  Jim Thompson only lived in this house for a few years, but the building remains furnished with all its original pieces.  It is now considered a museum and people from all over the world come to see the house and the art collection inside.

Admiring Jim Thompson's House in Bangkok.  Can you see the different houses stuck together?

Photo: Laura Muir

A great deal of mystery surrounds Jim Thompson and how he spent his final years.  When he was 61 he went to Malaysia to visit some friends, and one day decided to go on a hike in the jungle on his own.  He was never seen again.  Even with him gone, his company lives on and continues to bring Thai Silk to people around the world.

Have you ever felt silk?  Take a look around your house and see if you can find anything that is made out of silk.  Run your hand over it.  What does it feel like?