Jim Thompson's House Tour: Explore Thai Silk Legacy & Serene Gardens in Bangkok
3.3
13 Ratings
Bangkok
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Thai silk on a tour of Jim Thompson's House in Bangkok. Discover the legacy of James Thompson, explore serene gardens, and learn from a knowledgeable guide. Hotel transfers included.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Jim Thompson House - Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel either in the morning or in the afternoon. We drive from your hotel right into the city centre to stop at Jim Thompson’s House. Jim Thompson was the legendary American architect-entrepreneur who settled in Thailand after WW II and almost single-handedly revived the moribund silk industry.

Thompson’s achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the “Legendary American of Thailand”. Since his mysterious disappearance in 1967 in the jungle of Malaysia, little has changed in the home that was the ‘talk of the town’ and the ‘city’s most celebrated social centre’. Once his official residence, this complex of Thai-style homes and ornamental gardens is a fine example of authentic Thai architecture. The home was constructed by skilfully combining multiple Thai houses. Even today, this museum contains an impressive collection of art, collectables and antique objects continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok.

Jim’s maze of seven Thai-style teak houses has since been converted into a small private museum filled with his priceless collection of Asian antiques, pottery, and curiosities. A small gift shop sells fine reproductions of Vessantara Jataka and Brahma Jati horoscopes. Yet, at this moment the city boasts with a variety of Jim Thompson’s silk houses in the more up-market shopping areas, where this excellent Thai promotional product can be bought.

After touring all the corners of the house and the lush gardens, our guide and driver will safely bring you back to your hotel.

What's Included
  • All applicable taxes and service charges
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
  • All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description
  • A half day tour with a professional English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)
Additional Information

The fame of Thai silk is largely due to the relentless work of James Thompson, an independent American businessman and the founder of the famous Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. His tradition lives on in his gorgeous home, which is adorned with art pieces and vintage items.

• Explore the history of Thai silk in a breathtaking environment;
• Discover the intriguing backstory of Jim Thompson;
• Appreciate the calmness of the garden locations in central Bangkok;
• Receive insights from a knowledgeable Jim Thompson specialist;
• Complimentary travel to and from the hotel is provided

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
  • Transfers are only operated within the downtown Bangkok areas and restricted to main hotels only.
  • Regions outside the central business district such as Khao San Road, Rattanakosin, Nonthaburi, Thonburi, Minburi, both International Airports, Ratchadapisek and upper Sukhumvit (Soi 55 and further) are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
  • We regret that we are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Bangkok area.
  • To respect local customs and respecting the religious sites and temples on this tour, it is customary for guests to take off their shoes before allowed entrance. Your guide will inform you in advance for which of these sites this is applicable.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • There will be ample time for customers to spend time on their own to admire the sites at their own pace or browse along the shops for souvenirs. When additional time needs to be allocated for more time at leisure or shopping, this can be discussed with the guide on spot.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.
  • Guides are not permitted into the house for guiding purposes; the management of Jim Thompson’s House of Silk only allows in-house guides to conduct tours.
Location
Jim Thompson House
6, Soi Kasem San 2, Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.3
(13 Ratings)
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Haroldm_w
Nov 4, 2023
Perfect for our tour! - Guide was caring, patient and kind. She even took us on the sky train to the river boat for our next appointment. How awesome!!
Review provided by Viator
346katherinec
Feb 1, 2020
First time visit to the home of Jim Thompson - Wonderful that Jim Thompson salvaged so many historical artifacts of Thai culture and tradition. We found the trip fascinating and informative. The question is where is Jim Thompson now?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hwartonxx
Jul 17, 2019
well worth the visit - we didnt book a tour wen made our own way there and then did the in house tour Excellent English french or German speaking guides , beautiful gardens you can also what the famous Jim Thompson silk shop. watch the process from the worm to the fabric
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynskieinfenwick
Nov 15, 2018
Near Amari Watergate Hotel - The guided tour lasted about 20 minutes. The house is not very large and the volume of visitors is such that they rush you through. We could have gone back and looked at the place again, but it seemed like it wasn't worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Russell
Nov 12, 2018
Great history of a famous man. - 200 baht for the tour of the 6 House about 200 years old that were transported and set up high off the ground by Jim Thompson to make one large home. I recommend the tour which takes 45 minutes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mike
Oct 27, 2018
Good restaurant at the end.. they gave away the best part of the story in the second room - The house has a wonderful history and so does Jim Thompson... but they need a good story/script writer for the tour guides... the most interesting part of the story was given away at the beginning of the tour. They should really get the groups hooked on his story before they give away that he vanished without a trace....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Drltravels
Dec 26, 2022
No guide needed - Our guide was great so this is not a reflection on her. However, it was not necessary to use a guide for this trip. We should have taken a tuk tuk there and bought an entrance ticket directly. The tour was interesting but not as detailed into the history of silk as I had hoped. It was more about the story of Jim Thompson. I don’t regret going though!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomas_m
Nov 6, 2022
Confusing. Nina was... - Confusing. Nina was wonderful but was not the guide for the actual tour. I do not believe an additional guide Is necessary for this venue
Review provided by Viator
M6120cnhughm
Jan 30, 2023
Not worth the money - The tour was $111 for two and barely lasted a half hour (it did include a short taxi ride to and from our hotel). We learned nothing that was not readily available on the internet.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew
Feb 19, 2023
Do not waste your time and money - This is a non tour, its a taxi service. The tour itself is conducted by the people at the site and the tickets can be bought at the ticket office for 200 BAHT. This trip should not exist, it's a scam
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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