#FOTW: Discovering Perfect Smiles At Jim Thompson’s House In Bangkok

In the city of thriving temples and nightlife with neon lights, Jim Thompson’s House is a bit of a hidden gem when one thinks of places to visit in Bangkok. In Asia’s arguably buzziest city, finding a peaceful oasis is akin to finding a slice of heaven. Jim Thompson’s House does exactly that for weary travelers looking for some respite in Bangkok.

So, who exactly is Jim Thompson and why am I exhorting you to visit his place?

Jim Thompson was an American expat who moved to Thailand to deal in its silk industry. Having transformed the trade and made Thai silk famous throughout the world, Thompson settled in the country and bought six traditional Thai houses that he converted into his residence. He disappeared during a holiday with friends in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia after staying in Thailand for 22 years.

Today, his former residence is open to visitors for guided 40-minute tours. The architecture of these old wooden houses is something to marvel at, especially after you look at the concrete jungle all around you everywhere in the city. The surrounding area is also peaceful and worth spending time at once you finish your tour.

You will find traditional silk weaving machines on which female workers are busy threading new cloth in an attempt to keep up with the place’s history. There is also an art exhibit with videos in another room that you can browse at leisure if you want to learn more about the silk industry’s rise in Thailand.

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In the main courtyard, you will also come across graceful dancers who break into a jig, seemingly out of nowhere. I missed it when the dance first happened and shot this picture when she walked out and began her graceful dance. I loved how gracefully she was dancing without any apprehension. She seemed really happy to dance and it showed in her performance and the brilliant wattage smile when she looked into my camera.

I had gone expecting to learn about Thai silk but I came back with a little bit more than that. I learned not only about the textile that became famous in early 20^th century but also about old-style Thai architecture, weaving yarns from an earlier age and the brilliant smile of Thai dancers.

You can visit the official website of Jim Thompson’s House here. Here’s all the essential info you need before you visit this place: 

The Jim Thompson House is located on Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Rd.
Opening Hours : 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. everyday with the last Guided Tour at 6:00 p.m.*
Admission : Adult 150 baht; Students (under 22 years old) 100 baht

 

PS – Faces of the World is a series focussing on the most interesting people I’ve met on my travels. This is a community feature in which you are invited to send your own #FOTW Picture with a short intro to [email protected] to get featured.

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