Famous for bringing Thai silk to the Western world, Jim Thompson first stepped foot in Thailand after World War II on assignment with the US Army. After his deployment in 1946, he briefly returned home to pick up his wife before making Thailand their permanent home. She, however, was not on the same page and divorced him instead. After working with various Thai investors, Thompson went on to found the Thai Silk Company in 1947. Employing women from impoverished communities, Thompson allowed them to work from home while simultaneously watching their children. The small company found huge success after the first year and turned a profit every subsequent year in business. Because Thompson gave the core group of women shares in the company, they were raised out of poverty to become millionaires in the Thai silk business.
During an afternoon walk, while on a trip to Malaysia in 1967, Thompson disappeared and was never seen again. It is still unknown today what events led to his disappearance, but locals assume it had to do with kidnapping, murder, or a tiger attack.
Today, Thompson's house, built in 1959, draws nearly as many tourists as Bangkok's Grand Palace. Designed from parts of six traditional antique Thai houses, Thompson's open-air home is now a museum showcasing his love of Asian architecture and valuable collection of art.
Jim Thompson's House
Beautiful landscaping surrounds the house
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