|  Jim Thompson
was an American who was born in Greenville, Delaware, in
1906. A practicing architect prior to World War II, he volunteered
for service in the U.S. Army, campaigned in Europe, and came
to Asia as part of the force that planned to liberate Thailand.
However, the war ended before the operation. He arrived in Bangkok
a short time later as a military intelligence officer attached
to the O.S.S. After leaving the service, he decided to return
and live in Thailand permanently.
The hand weaving
of silk, a long-neglected cottage industry, captured Jim Thompson's
attention, and he devoted himself to reviving the craft. Highly
gifted as a designer and textile colorist, he contributed substantially
to the industry's growth and to the worldwide recognition accorded
to Thai silk.
He gained further
renown through the construction of his house combining six teak
buildings which represented the best of traditional Thai architecture.
Most of the houses were at least two centuries old and were
easily dismantled and brought to the present site, some from
as far away as the old capital of Ayutthaya.
In his quest for
authenticity, Jim Thompson adhered to the customs of the early
builders in most respects. The houses were elevated a full story
above the ground, a practical Thai precaution to avoid flooding
during the rainy season, and the roof tiles were fired in Ayutthaya
employing a design common centuries ago but rarely used today.
The red paint on the outside walls is a preservative commonly
found on many old Thai buildings. The chandeliers were electrified
as a concession to modern convenience, but even they belong
to a past era, having come from 18th and 19th century Bangkok
palaces.
All the traditional
religious procedures were followed during construction of the
house, and on a date in the spring of 1959, decreed as being
auspicious by astrologers, Jim Thompson moved in. The house
and the art collection soon became such a point of interest
that he decided to open it to the public with proceeds donated
to Thai charities and to projects directed at the preservation
of Thailand's rich cultural heritage.
On March 27th 1967,
Jim Thompson disappeared while on a visit to the Cameron Highlands
in Malaysia. Not a single valid clue has turned up in the ensuing
years as to what might have happened to him. His famous Thai
house, however, remains as a lasting reminder of his creative
ability and his deep love of Thailand. |
