Jim Thomson's House & Suan Pakkard Palace Tour
Description
Jim Thompson House in the heart of Bangkok is the former house of American Jim Thompson, turned into a museum. Surrounded by a well kept tropical garden are six teak wooden buildings in traditional Thai architectural style. On display in the houses is a collection of mostly South East Asian art brought together by Jim Thompson. The house is now managed by the James H.W. Thompson Foundation which aims to preserve the house and its art collection. Jim Thompson revived the Thai silk industry. On display around the house are items used in the production of silk as well as boards with information about the process of silk worm harvesting, spinning and weaving. Suan Pakkard Palace, the former home of Prince Paripatra. Suan Pakkad Palace or Suan Pakkard Palace is a museum in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on Sri Ayutthaya Road, south of the Victory Monument. The museum has Thai antiques on display, including Ban Chiang pottery over 4,000 years old
Tour Options
Itinerary
This jungly compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art collector. Born in Delaware in 1906, Thompson briefly served in the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner of the CIA) in Thailand during WWII. He settled in Bangkok after the war, when his neighbours’ handmade silk caught his eye and piqued his business sense; he sent samples to fashion houses in Milan, London and Paris, gradually building a steady worldwide clientele.
Jim Thompson House - The lovely garden-enclosed compound sitting on the bank of the Saen Saeb Canal would have gone completely unnoticed, had it not been for a legacy left behind by a middle-aged American man named Jim Thompson. His elegant residential enclave, comprising six traditional Thai teakwood houses transported from Ayutthaya and Bangkok’s Ban Krua community, echoes Jim Thompson’s 30-year love affair with Southeast Asian art and cultural heritage.
Suan Pakkad Palace is a place to find visions of Thailand you thought long since vanished in Bangkok. Its name means 'cabbage patch', in reference to when the land was nothing more than just that. Today, however, it's a well-tended tropical garden with serene ponds surrounding eight traditional Thai houses, each of which brims to overflowing with fine arts, antiques and oddities belonging to Prince and Princess Chumbhot.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Centrally located Bangkok hotels
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Hotel pick up may be 30-60 minutes prior to tour Start time/Departure time (depending on hotel location).
- Ladies must wear a skirt or sarong (no pants or shorts) that covers your shoulders and knees for visiting Suan Pakkard Palace
- Men must wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for visiting Suan Pakkard Palace.
- There are facilities to borrow suitable clothing if required.
- At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place. Single traveler may book this product, but is subject to availability and cancellation if minimum number of people is not met on the activity day.
Reviews(7)
My guide was very knowledgeable with many good suggestions and tips for my stay in Bangkok. It was nice to have a half day tour available to explore in my own in the afternoon. Water was provided also along with hotel pick up and drop off.
Hello Bruce, Thank you for your kind words about the Jim Thompson's House & Suan Pakkard Palace Tour. We're thrilled to hear that your guide was knowledgeable and provided useful suggestions for your stay in Bangkok. We're glad you appreciated the flexibility of the half-day tour, allowing you to explore on your own in the afternoon. It's also great to know that you found the provided water and hotel pick-up and drop-off convenient. We hope to welcome you back on another tour soon. Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
Jim Thompson’s home was a beautiful and well-cared-for complex. My disappointment had most to do with how limited the shop was in inventory. The Suan Pakkard Palace was nice, but rather boring. Our guide, Luck, and driver were very helpful. And the Thompson house guide was excellent. More information and Thai-style architecture would have helped.
Hi Jim, We are grateful that you took the time out to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us to improve service for everyone. Thank you, Nick
The architecture, the story of Jim Thomson and the art make this well worth visiting, even on a hot steamy day. The gardens are very photogenic. I would suggest it’s not a place for families with your children as you have to take care and are asked to put anything larger than a small purse into a locker.
Hello Dianna, Thanks for joining us on the Jim Thompson tour and we appreciate you taking the time to write a review, Regards, Nick
With the guide's rich knowledge, the tour was really fun and exciting. I definitely recommend it to everyone at least once. Photography is prohibited indoors and is filled with the treasures he has collected. Personally, it was one of the most exciting times of my visit to Thailand. After the tour, it's good to stop by the souvenir shop to buy something, but it's not cheap. It is good to stop by on the way to or back from ICONSIAM, and it is convenient to use both taxis and BTS.
Dear Young, Thanks for sharing your recent experience at the Jim Thompsons House and we appreciate your 5 star review, Regards, Nick
Supposed to have TukTuk picked up but was told that we had to walk to Jim Thomson . Do not listen to the hotel staffs, these was Tuk Tuk - Just wait . I saw Tuk Tuk (Jim Thomson) and I just needed to let them know that I wanted a ride . Overall tour is good, like good to know. Houses are very nice and very well kept. Garden is beautiful. I like it here.
When you arrive it is like change to another place, coming from the noise and confusion.... Suddenly you can hear the water and little birds and forget the pollution... The guide visit is very well organized and the story of Jim Thompson is incredible. If you come to BKK is mandatory come and visit!
Hello Jdafranco, Thanks for the kind review and I am very happy you enjoyed your tour with us. Regards, Nick I Asia Thailand
you can have a guided Tour at Jim Thompson House for 200 Baht (approx. 6 Dollar - 5 Eur) - Tour is english, french, Thai etc.
Dear ThePeter1, That’s for your comments. Not sure what you mean you can have a guided tour for 200 Baht? Our tour includes hotel pick up and drop off and the Suan Pakkard Palace and then Jim Thomson House. The 200 Baht is only the entrance fee to the house without anything extra as above. If you want to explain further please do email us at guest@iasiathailand.com Regards. Christopher
