Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson House
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This former home of an American named Jim Thompson, who started the Thai silk industry after World War II, houses a magnificent collection of Asian art and many unique displays.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Jim Thompson House
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Pathum Wan
How to get there
- National Stadium • 5 min walk
- Ratchadamri • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
6,030 within 3 miles
Attractions
618 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- WaiMingLokeHong Kong, China369 contributionsTribute to a great designerIn the middle of Bangkok city, Jim Thompson foundation kept his trove of six beautiful Thai structures well maintained with a well managed tour guide crew. We are able to learn about how JIm Thompson's story and see his collection of Asian and Thailand artifects. There is also a boutique which sells his designs and collections. Definitely recommended for a 90-120 minute visitDear WaiMingLoke, Thank you very much for your review. We truly appreciate hearing about the experience that you had. We hope for the opportunity to welcome you again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written April 2, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 24, 2023
- VilssWelwyn Garden City, United Kingdom3 contributionsGood & well worth visiting - but almost a victim of it’s own success…Good & well worth visiting - but almost a victim of it’s own success… There is a big business behind this rustic collection of lovely buildings - the gift shop almost dwarfs the original buildings. P.S. top tip get a tuk- tuk to the river and arrive at the main palace by riverboat!Dear clivewM7731XI, Thank you very much for visiting the Jim Thompson House and taking the time to give us a review of your visit. Besides the Jim Thompson House you’ll also be able to find our restaurants and Jim Thompson Art center all located within the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter which might be of interest to you. Thank you once again for visiting us and we hope to welcome you back here again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written April 2, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2023Written March 29, 2023
- camper11-11Europe139 contributionsWorth a lookInteresting little museum with a number of old style Thai houses and decorated in similar style. Possibly a bit more commercial than Jim planned. Hope they still support local charities as he originally planned. Worth a visit. (Not really wheelchair friendly.Dear camper11-11, Thank you for visiting our museum and sharing your feedback with us. We're delighted to hear that you found our museum interesting. Your appreciation means a lot to us. We would like to address your concern regarding wheelchair accessibility. As Jim Thompson House museum is an old teak Thai house, it poses limitations in terms of accommodating wheelchairs due to its architectural structure. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. However, we do have an elevator available in the areas such as the restaurant, our retail shop and Jim Thompson Art Center which are wheelchair accessible. We strive to ensure that all our visitors can enjoy their time at our location. Regarding your mention of Mr.Jim Thompson's original plans to support local charities, we are proud to continue his legacy. We actively collaborate with and support various local organizations and initiatives that align with his vision. Giving back to the community is an integral part of our mission. Once again, we appreciate your visit and your feedback. We hope that you had an overall positive experience at Jim Thompson House museum. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Warm regards, Phenarpa A.Written May 4, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 7, 2023
- leshy-travelBydgoszcz, Poland276 contributionsJim Thompson House - a tourist attraction in the center of BangkokJim Thompson's house in Bangkok is a tourist attraction located in the very center of the capital of Thailand. This place attracts both with its unique appearance and the story of its owner, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Attention is drawn to the unusual architecture of the property and the historic exhibits are delightful. Paintings, ceramics and everyday objects are also an opportunity to learn about Jim Thompson's interests and the history and culture of Thailand. That's why it's a great idea to include the museum in your plans to visit Bangkok. Amazing and beautiful place.Dear leshy-travel, Thank you very much for your feedback and the 5 stars you gave us. We are delighted to hear about your experience at the Jim Thompson House and we hope to welcome you back again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A. Marketing ManagerWritten May 4, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2022Written April 18, 2023
- M.C.RoseKent, United Kingdom627 contributionsLovely oasis in the middle of BangkokWe always visit here when we are in Bangkok. This time we didn’t do the tour but just enjoyed a coffee and snack in the cafe which has been relocated. The shop has been renovated and now an upstairs with some lovely photos and other displays. It is easy to get to from the Sky Train. Leave at National Stadium station, exit 1 and it is then a 5 minute walk.Dear Expedition809669, Thank you very much for visiting the Jim Thompson House and taking the time to give us a review of your visit. We hope for the opportunity to welcome you again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written May 4, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 23, 2023
- Constantine G50 contributionsMystery manA very informative guided tour explains the main areas of this beautiful residence. However the biggest mystery is the cause of death of Mr Thompson. The cafe makes a nice iced latte and the shop has beautiful silk for sale.Dear constantineg718, Thank you for visiting the Jim Thompson House and taking the time to share your review with us and we hope to welcome you back here again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written June 4, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited May 2023Traveled on businessWritten May 19, 2023
- dontravgavMission, Canada66 contributionsAmazing artworkWe had an excellent tour with a guide who spoke very good English. She gave us a run-down of Jim Thompson's life, then led the group through the house (actually five attached buildings). She was very knowledgeable about the architecture, Thompson's lifestyle, and the massive art collection which filled the house and was collected from all over south-east Asia. We next went outside to the gardens, a true oasis in the middle of the city. There was a room which detailed Thompson's life and his influence on the Thai silk industry, and we ended the tour at a large shop selling the silk goods still produced by the factory.Dear dontravgav, Thank you very much for visiting the Jim Thompson House and taking the time to give us a review of your visit. We hope for the opportunity to welcome you again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written June 24, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited May 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 9, 2023
- Aidan1 contributionExcellent history lesson and beautiful architectureBeautiful buildings with lots of historic info. Lynn was an exceptional tour guide, funny, engaging, and informative. Would recommend to anyone in BKK for their first visit. Real close to the river as well!Dear 886aidano, We very much appreciate your comments regarding your visit at Jim Thompson. It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback and we hope your next visit will be as pleasant as the previous one. Kind regards, Phenarpa A.Written June 25, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 14, 2023
- TGS1969Tampa, Florida66 contributionsIt’s not a temple!Our family of four (17 YO girl and 14 YO boy) visited the Jim Thompson house and museum. The house and the history behind it are worth the visit on their own, but after two full days of visiting temples it was a very welcome change of scenery for the kids. The tour only takes about 45 minutes (there is no A/C but there are a few fans) and it ends in a gloriously air conditioned gift shop. The house is walking distance from several multi-level shopping malls, so you can take the tour when the house opens in the morning and go to the mall for lunch afterwards. They require you to go on a guided tour - the English version was given every 20 or 30 minutes when we were there. Highly recommended!Dear TGS1969, Thank you very much for visiting the Jim Thompson House and taking the time to give us a review of your visit. Besides the Jim Thompson House you’ll also be able to find our restaurants, Iconic Store, Jim Thompson Art center all located within the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter which might be of interest to you. Thank you once again for visiting us and we hope to welcome you back here again in the near future. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written June 25, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 23, 2023
- VictoriaBangkok, Thailand2 contributionsJim Terrace During This “Rainy” SeasonLovely quite place in a noisy city. Everyone speaks great English here, I even heard staff speaking in Chinese to other costumers. The food was well cook and seasoned definitely Thai, my father actually recommended me this place while I was in Bangkok. I hope to come back here soon with my family :) it’s perfect for anyone at any age.Dear Excursion08667210827, We very much appreciate your comments regarding your visit at Jim's Terrace. It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback. I will share your comments with our team. I am sure that this feedback will serve as an encouragement to all of our staff as we strive to continuously the quality of our services. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope your next visit will be as pleasant as the previous one. Best Regards, Phenarpa A.Written June 30, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2023Traveled soloWritten June 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
14,456 reviews
Excellent
7,323
Very good
5,180
Average
1,557
Poor
273
Terrible
123
jonpaulvictor
Dudley, UK43 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I really enjoyed my visit to Jim Thompson‘s house, and the museum attached. I was pleased to find out that with the price of your ticket you also get a free guide around the grounds and house. The only disappointment is you cannot take photographs whilst visiting the inside of the house. I would’ve loved to have taken a few Photographs to remind me of my visit.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie Mae
Eugene, OR9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
My trip to the Jim Thompson House was wonderful. I went on a Saturday which is much less traffic. The home is in the center of the city along a canal. I took a taxi there and a one way back on the canal taxi. No need to spend a lot of money. Entrance fee is 200 Bhat, 200 to get there and back on advertised specials. I splurged and had lunch there. Excellent service, much need A/C, the food was superb. Cost slightly less than at home at 440 bhat that included a sweet bread, coconut cream. They are well organized with guided tours, a bit canned but our guide made it fun. FYI must be able to walk without shoes and climb stairs. No photography allowed but most of the collection can be seen on their website. There was a silk creation demonstration showing how it is farmed from a pot of hot water and these cocoons. The girls would then wind the silk onto a wooden tool that prepares the silk for market. I probably wouldn’t go again unless traveling with someone who hasn’t seen it. Don’t miss the silk shop featuring all silk clothing. Ellie Mae
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rene Sophia
Singapore, Singapore272 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We wanted to go somewhere else besides shopping and eating while in Bangkok. After reading about it, we decided to visit the Jim Thompson museum. Entrance price is reasonable - 200 baht for adults above 22 years old and 100 baht for below 22 and seniors. It is just walking distance, about 10 mins walk, from MBK Shopping Mall and the train station.
There is a guided tour every 30 mins and we were attached to a guide with every about 20 visitors. The tour lasted for around 30mins. We were brought to the different houses within the museum to look inside the rooms and their furnishings and personal antique collections of Jim Thompson with detailed background info by the guide.
There is also a sourvenir shop and a restaurant inside. The sourvenir shop sells memorabilia items from Jim Thompson's collection such as Thai silk on handbags, scarves and clothings.
There is a guided tour every 30 mins and we were attached to a guide with every about 20 visitors. The tour lasted for around 30mins. We were brought to the different houses within the museum to look inside the rooms and their furnishings and personal antique collections of Jim Thompson with detailed background info by the guide.
There is also a sourvenir shop and a restaurant inside. The sourvenir shop sells memorabilia items from Jim Thompson's collection such as Thai silk on handbags, scarves and clothings.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue B
Cardiff, UK130 contributions
Mar 2020
The Jim Thompson House i the house of an American Jim Thompson who lived in Bangkok in the 60’s and built himself a house based on the traditional Thai style and furnished it with beautiful pieces of art, tapestry, statuettes and china from around the country. Jim Thompson is famous for setting up a Thai silk business and for selling that silk around the world revitalising the industry.
I’m afraid the setup of the tour was not for me. There was a strange kind of reverence for this businessman who subsequently seemed to have some involvement with the CIA and disappeared in mysterious circumstances. You have to attend a tour to walk around, it takes about 45 minutes but you can walk around the gardens yourself. You are not allowed to take photos inside of the house.
There is a restaurant, cafe and shop where you can buy silk items. There is also a separate Jim Thompson shop a few minutes drive away which has a spectacular range of products but it is very expensive compared to the cheaper mass manufactured Chinese silk.
I’m afraid the setup of the tour was not for me. There was a strange kind of reverence for this businessman who subsequently seemed to have some involvement with the CIA and disappeared in mysterious circumstances. You have to attend a tour to walk around, it takes about 45 minutes but you can walk around the gardens yourself. You are not allowed to take photos inside of the house.
There is a restaurant, cafe and shop where you can buy silk items. There is also a separate Jim Thompson shop a few minutes drive away which has a spectacular range of products but it is very expensive compared to the cheaper mass manufactured Chinese silk.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina G
Ringwood, UK713 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
After paying the entrance fee we were ask to wait to join a group with tour guide. This allowed us time to watch a Thai lady boiling the silk worms to obtain the silk threads which was interesting to see. We also visited the shop at this time we had a great array of items for all in beautiful silk fabrics. On joining the tour we were asked to remove our shoes to enter the house and not take photos. Our guide gave a very good commentary on the history of the building, Jim Thompson and his silk business he created in Bangkok. He also had a good collection of art works from his travels which were interesting to see. Lovely gardens to wander after the tour and cafe/restaurant if you wish to have refreshments.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jmahg
Maidenhead, UK674 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is all about the American designer who trained in architecture. He designed the house incorporating his western ideas alongside his Thai influence. He was a collector of art as well as a designer and you can see the influences he had on his fabric designs. There is also a practical display of how silk is obtained from the cocoon. There is a small shop and cafe. The entry fee is not high and includes guided tour of around 40 minutes in English, French or Thai. We really enjoyed our visit.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S4nnyBunny
Melbourne1,876 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
I strongly recommend you to wear something cool, light and comfortable!!! There is air conditioning in the souvenir shops, but outside and in the house itself it gets real hot and humid.
That said, I had a nice experience and was well worth the trip. Easy to get to from National Stadium BTS; about a 5 mins walk from there. Entry fee was 200 THB, the guided tour goes for about 30 mins covering about Jim Thompson himself and the house. Great experience if you want to learn about Thai art & culture.
The two things that I personally didn’t like was 1) the stinking hot weather (not their fault but more fans and air cons could do the trick) and 2) the tour guide although was knowledgeable, lacked personality and it felt like she was reading from a script.
Loved the tuk tuk service they have which drives you up back to the BTS station. Overall great experience.
That said, I had a nice experience and was well worth the trip. Easy to get to from National Stadium BTS; about a 5 mins walk from there. Entry fee was 200 THB, the guided tour goes for about 30 mins covering about Jim Thompson himself and the house. Great experience if you want to learn about Thai art & culture.
The two things that I personally didn’t like was 1) the stinking hot weather (not their fault but more fans and air cons could do the trick) and 2) the tour guide although was knowledgeable, lacked personality and it felt like she was reading from a script.
Loved the tuk tuk service they have which drives you up back to the BTS station. Overall great experience.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
martinaF6240DK
Dubai, United Arab Emirates44 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I’ve always wanted to visit his home and see the amazing buildings he helped preserve. They are indeed stunning but hard to enjoy when there are so many people in a group and one is rushed around the grounds by the guide. Smaller groups and viewing at a more leisurely pace would be so much more pleasant...there wasn’t enough time to enjoy the rooms and get a feel for the place which is a shame.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan P
Bloomfield, CT172 contributions
Nov 2019
The compound that comprises the Jim Thompson house is beautiful, including the design of the house and the extraordinary gardens. The story of Jim Thompson and the silk trade is fascinating and there are lots of interesting artifacts. It would not be a place to take kids, but it is interesting. Note: you have to take your shoes off to tour the house and check your camera as there are no photos allowed in the house.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pratida C.
Bangkok, Thailand5 contributions
Dec 2019
This is one of the few places in Bangkok that I would keep going back just because it's such a beautiful escape from the busy city life. When you walk into the premises, it feels as if you have traveled back to a more serene and simple time. I like to begin my visit by going to the Jim Thompson café and treat myself to a fresh glass of lychee mint smoothie. I like to go there around 15:00 so the weather would be cooler in the afternoon. After a little break at the café, I like to book a house tour around 16:15 - 16:30. So by the time I finish the tour, I can make my way to dinner, leaving enough time to travel in case I run into Bangkok infamous traffic.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenaforever
Stockholm, Sweden5 contributions
Är National stadium skytrain närmaste hållplats om jag vill ta mig dit med just skytrain?
Is National stadium skytrain the closest stop?
SuperMita
Helsingborg576 contributions
Har glömt vad stationerna hette men vi gick av där vid det stora köpcentrumet med tre bokstäver. Sen var det en rätt liten promenad dit. Minns att man svängde ner i gatan där typ ett kulturhus fanns (gratis inträde och det fanns konst att titta på, man kunde fika mm)
Lim S
Penang Island, Malaysia7 contributions
Any good thai food around Jim Thompson House?
Live4it
162 contributions
Yes they have a resturant and the food was some of the best we had on our trip. I really enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere too. Also iced coffee was the best I've ever had... I will always remeber it lol. Service is a touch slow and menu is touch expensive but I think worth it for sure.
Bonjour,j'aimerais savoir quel jour et à quelle heure ont lieu les visites en français.Merci
OlatzEH
Portugalete, Spain150 contributions
I think that the visits are every 30 minutes more or less
Alvin Raditya
Surabaya, Indonesia354 contributions
Is jim thompson house will be open during the songkran days? Today? Thank you
宸以 林
Kabin Buri, Thailand439 contributions
yrs, it's open during Songkran, I just came back from there yesterday.
Katherine W
Taipei, Taiwan55 contributions
Would elementary school aged kids enjoy this? How long is the tour?
Remsheg
Wentworth, Canada57 contributions
Older elementary students might enjoy it. Jim Thompson's story is a fascinating one and his disappearance remains a mystery which would no doubt intrigue the students. The house is beautiful and the tour only half an hour. The exhibits outside might be of more interest.
antonyheaart
London, UK3 contributions
Can i see there traditional Thai dance?
Orion37
Bangkok, Thailand35 contributions
i did not see any dancing at all
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Claim your listingJim Thompson House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jim Thompson House
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Jim Thompson House:
- Jim Thompson’s Story of Silk (From $54.88)
- Private Guide In and Around Bangkok: Custom Tour (From $58.00)
- Bangkok Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours (From $69.00)
- ️ Bangkok Private Instagram Tour: All-Inclusive (From $133.00)
- Jim Thomson's House & Suan Pakkard Palace Tour (From $67.48)
- Hotels near Jim Thompson House:
- (0.06 mi) Happy 3 Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Daraya Boutique Hotel
- (0.08 mi) Patumwan House
- (0.11 mi) Nine Design Place
- (0.13 mi) LiT Bangkok Hotel & Residence
- Restaurants near Jim Thompson House:
- (0.00 mi) Jim's Terrace
- (0.00 mi) Silk Cafe
- (0.01 mi) Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant
- (0.03 mi) The O.S.S. Bar
- (0.15 mi) Chim Chim
- Attractions near Jim Thompson House:
- (0.01 mi) Jim Thompson Cafe
- (0.10 mi) Kasemsan 1 Massage
- (0.18 mi) Mac Custom Tailor by Boss Apparels
- (0.11 mi) YELO House
- (0.19 mi) Khlong Saen Saep