Jim Thompson's house, an architectural gem

Jim Thompson was born in America to a wealthy textile manufacturer in 1906. He went to Princeton University in 1928 and even represented America in a 6-metre sailing event at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Later, he became interested in architecture and designed luxurious houses.

He joined the army in 1941 during the Second World War. His posting took him to places like North Africa, Europe and Ceylon. For his final tour, he was transferred to Thailand to work with the liberation army against the Japanese who were occupying Thailand at the time. By the time he reached Thailand, Japan had surrendered.

After resigning from the army, he returned to Thailand for a business opportunity. There he founded the Thai Silk Company Limited with George Barrie. In 1958, he began building a house to display his entire collection of artefacts he had acquired in Asia. Jim Thompson disappeared in the Cameron Highlands in 1967 and was never found again. He remains one of the region's greatest mysteries.

Jim Thompson House is often referred to as 'The House on the Klong'. A 'klong' translates as 'canal' in Thai. The house stands on the bank of a small canal. Speaking of weaving, there is a demonstration of silk production from silkworms in the main area of the house.

Jim Thompson sourced and purchased traditional Thai teak houses from all over the country and placed them right next to each other. These houses were transported and then reassembled on site. These houses were transported and then reassembled on site. To give it a more authentic Thai feel, the whole structure has been raised on a platform. You will need to remove your shoes before entering the first floor.

Once the house was finished, he began decorating it with artefacts collected in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. He specifically brought several Buddha statues and Thai paintings that also depicted the life of Buddha. In addition, he displayed blue and white Chinese porcelain, Belgian glass, Victorian chandeliers, Benjarong pottery, Cambodian sculptures, Burmese statues and even a dining table that was used by King Rama V of Thailand. The bathroom, with a cat-shaped urinal and a frog-shaped bidet, is the house's most unusual feature.

Following Jim Thompson's death, the Thai government set up a foundation in the house dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Thailand's cultural heritage.