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Published: January 28th 2014
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Jim Thompson House
Making thread from silk cocoons Hello again blogging buddies,time to tell you again about one of my recent days out and about here in BKK.I am still referencing the Lonely Planet guide book for inspiration and direction and on their list of must sees in Bangkok, Jim Thompson's house. Jim Thompson was the man credited with taking the Thai Silk industry and revitalizing it by introducing it to the world. Thompson was an American architect who worked for the OSS (spies before the CIA).After the war he settled over here and discovered a small cottage industly, making silk.He saw the potential and developed the markets in fashion houses around the world, making him very wealthy.
He loved Thailand and the region of SE Asia and decided to build a house in Bangkok.Not just any house though,he went across the country side and bought 6 old Thai houses, took them apart then moved them to Bangkok and had them reconstructed.He joined some of them together, turned outside walls inward, planted gardens and made a splendid home.After building the home he filled it with his collection of priceless art and antiquities. The problem for me was there was no photography allowed!
I toured the house with
Jim Thompson House
Making thread from silk cocoons a small group, it is beautiful, 200 year old teak floors and walls.7th and 8th century statues of Buddah, paintings and furniture and carved door frames and wall dividers.I took a few illegal photos.
Outside the house was a man sitting by a couple of containers of cocoons, unravelling the single strand of silk from each cocooon,then spinning them together into a thread.It was for show of course but authentic from a historic perspective and fascinating.Also outside a woman dancing, with graceful moves to lovely music.A beautiful and tranquil place.Jim Thompson disappeared while on a trip to Malaysia, no trace of him was ever found and thoeries andbrumours of CIA involvement, to being eaten by a tiger can not bring anyone closer to the truth.
After leaving the Thompson house I walked back to the skytrain.The area around the station has become a tent city for the anti government protestors, it was day time and quiet with most of the people down at the stage listening to the speeches.
My next stop was to see the Royal Barges, across the river in Thon Buri, the guide book was a bit vague and I headed across country from
the ferry stop.It was hot and seemed further than I had imagined .Having rivers in the geography helps though and eventually I met someone who directed me to walk along a canal where I finally found it.I was in a residential area, poor and Muslim. Women in burka's and at one point the call to prayer echoed out across the rooftops, unexpected and exotic.
The royal barges are housed under a large metal roof, each one out of the water and truly majestic.The problem again was no photography! Each barge was built for a King and were used for Royal Occasions on the river.Some had more than 60 paddlers and were ornate and very special.Quite the lufestyle to be a King of Siam.
Getting home was easier and I was pleased with the day but tired and glad to be home.
Thats it for now friends, all is good here still but I am ready to come home.
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