The Jim Thompson House is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson's achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the "Legendary American of Thailand".

     For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. Thompson's success story in Thailand has become one of the most popular postwar legends of Asia.

     In 1967, Jim Thompson went on holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. There he set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned. Thus began the Jim Thompson legend.

     Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in the home that was the 'talk of the town' and the 'city's most celebrated social center'. Even today, the charming Thai style house continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok.

     Both the supporting columns and consequently, the walls of the house lean slightly inward adding to the illusion of height and grace. The curved roof ends, characteristic of traditional Thai houses, are probably adaptations of naga (serpent) motifs.

     The house consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-style houses, teak structures that were purchased from several owners and brought to the present location from various parts of Thailand. Construction of the Thai house was completed in 1959.

 The Jim Thompson House Floor Plan

Open: Daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission: 100 baht.

Ancient City The Ancient City is located at Km. 33 on Sukhumvit Road, Samut Prakan Province. This is the world’s largest outdoor museum that consists of gigantic sized replicas of famous buildings, monuments, and temples found in all parts of Thailand. Visitors can travel around by private car in the area of 320 acres, which is approximately the geographic shape of Thailand.
Open: Daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
Admission: Adult 100 bath Child 50 baht
http://www.ancientcity.com/

The National Museum Bangkok  currently houses three permanent exhibition galleries
1. The Thai History Gallery located in the front of the Siwamokhaphiman Hall, a ceremonial building.
2. The Archaeological and Art History Collections which are divided in two parts:
      (i) The Prehistory Gallery, located in the back of the Siwanmokhaphiman Hall, and Gallery No. S6 on the upper floor of the South Wing Building.
      (ii) The Art History Gallery, located in the North Wing Building, which displays sculptures and exhibits from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi periods, (before 1257 AD) up to the Bangkok period (1782)
3. The Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection which is displayed in the old central palace buildings. This collection contains a variety of artistic, cultural and ethnographic exhibits such as gold treasures and precious stones, mother of pearl inlay, royal emblems and insignia, costumes and textiles, ceramics, carved ivory, old royal transportation, old weapons and musical instruments.
Opening Time: daily except Mondays
Guided tours at the National Museum by National Museum Volunt In English and France every Wenesday & Thursday at 9.30 am.
Museum entrance fee  50 Baht

The Royal Barges National Museum This dry dock, where several royal barges are displayed. These barges were used on Royal and government occasions and formerly served war vessels. One of the most beautiful and well-known barge is "Suphanahong" used by the King only, now replaced by the "Narayana Song Suban Rama IX" as the King's Royal Barge. Royal Barges will be used for the Royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November. The Royal barges proceeded during the Rattankosin Bicentennial celebrations. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors.
Opening Time: 8.30 a.m.- 4.30 p.m.
Admission fee: 30 baht