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A Glance at Jim Thompson's House


Thailand is famous for Thai silk; an industry revitalized by Jim Thompson in the 1950s and 60s. Jim H.W. Thompson was an "American businessman and former U.S. military intelligence officer. Thompson mysteriously disappeared while going for a walk on Easter Sunday, in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. Many hypotheses have been put forward to explain his disappearance, but what actually happened to him remains a mystery." (source)

His house is only one sky train ride from my workplace, which makes it very easy for me to drop by. I visited it twice. These are snapshots of Jim Thompson's house from the second time (Feb 09) that I went:

(1) a shot taken from the garden

(2) if you noticed the leaning look of the columns, it is, according to the guide, how Thompson designed his house to add to the illusion of height and grace

(3) curved roof ends are characteristic of traditional Thai houses

(4) a shot taken from the visitor waiting area

The house stands amidst a jungle landscape. As you make your way in and out of the rooms towards the silk pavillion, library, or reception, you get a feeling of being in the countryside when just a few meters away you have the skyscrapers already. There is also a museum, a shop and a restaurant for visitors among other things inside the compound.

~ That's My World Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise ~
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Comments

Sylvia K said…
What an interesting post! And your photos are marvelous! Thanks for sharing!

Have a great week!

Sylvia
15 September 2009 at 07:07
Rajesh said…
Wonderful history about the beautiful house.
15 September 2009 at 08:31
LadyFi said…
I do love Thai architecture!
15 September 2009 at 15:09
Anya said…
:)
Its a BEAUTIFUL place Hazel,
a place to
relax and day dreaming ....
15 September 2009 at 16:02
Jane Hards Photography said…
What I like about blogging you learn so much of other peoples worlds.
15 September 2009 at 16:35
eileeninmd said…
You made an interesting post about the Thompson house and its history. Your photos are great, thanks for sharing your part of the world.
15 September 2009 at 18:56
Carver said…
What a charming house and an interesting post.
15 September 2009 at 19:53
Coffeedoff said…
Super photos of an interesting place.
15 September 2009 at 21:49
Anonymous said…
OMG I'd love to live there. I just love it :) Thanks for sharing this :)
16 September 2009 at 01:22
Ebie said…
Hazel, I could picture myself living in that house, cute and cozy. I love its simple architecture.

Thanks for sharing this post and your world.
16 September 2009 at 07:45
sleigh beds said…
It's like a dream view of my house.
16 September 2009 at 13:03
Glennis said…
Very interesting story with a mystery disappearance too. The old house does look like its on an lean but its a charming place.
18 September 2009 at 07:04
SandyCarlson said…
I love a good mystery. This is a great story.
20 September 2009 at 08:06
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