Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson was a silk entrepreneur from the US who revitalised the silk industry in the 50's & 60's helping many poor Thai women out of poverty.  He began building his house in 1968 and completed it a year later, with both Thai & western features, including inside toilets and an indoor staircase!, and surrounded it with a beautiful garden.  He disappeared while on a walk in Malaysia's Cameon Highlands and his body was never found. There were many people helped in the 11 day search and subsequent searches through the years but to this day no one knows what happened to him.  His home and grounds are now a museum and art centre with a cafe and art gallery.  You are given a guided tour of the buildings and gardens and then left to explore.  The cafe is great and we were entertained by some ladies harvesting the silk from the silk worms and some graceful Thai dancing.

              

                            

                              This is the lady harvesting the silk.  

                                     

                         

This is a mini house which was built alongside the main house.  It is to be positioned in the shadow of the house and is there to ward off any evil spirits.  Thai people believe this houses good spirits who protect the house and they place food and drink out each day for the spirits to ensure they stay to protect them.  You will see these outside lots of houses in Thailand.  They come in varying shapes, sizes and colours but all have the same purpose.  

                                  

                                

Jim Thompson loved collecting Asian artifacts and his house is full of such.  One of Josh's favourite ones was the 'mouse house'.  This was a small house no bigger than a dolls house where live mice were placed and kids enjoyed watching them run around the house!  Original TV!  They were even used by adults who placed bets on which mouse would reach a certain point first. 

                                             

                      

                                       A couple of the silk works.

                       

Silk Worm Story Time