Thai Classics At Jim Thompson House and Vimanmek Palace

Bangkok offers scores of beautiful sights and monuments with the Grand Palace complex and numerous temples topping the priority list of all tourists. Their grandeur and architecture are so fascinating that other sights are often left out of their schedule. Two such buildings that are exquisite in their own right and worth visiting, are the Jim Thompson House and the Vimanmek Palace. Both are typical examples of the finest Thai residences in Bangkok today.

Jim Thompson was an American architect who served in Bangkok during World War II. He fell in love with the city and returned here, finding it difficult to live in New York. He is the man who popularized Thai silk all over the world. He loved Thai artifacts and built a huge collection of these. He assembled portions of abandoned, dilapidated Thai homes from central Thailand, in typical Thai style, into what is Jim Thompson House today. The house is open to the public and has been preserved along with his personal belongings. He disappeared under mysterious circumstances from the Cameron Highlands in 1967, but he lives on as a legend.

The Vimanmek Palace is the largest golden teakwood mansion in the world. Constructed in the early 1900s it served as the residence of King Rama V. The mansion's three floors, huge staircases and octagonal 81 rooms signify regal opulence. The gorgeous collection of antiques and objects d'art is fascinating for tourists who admire the beauty and serenity around. The mansion has performances of Thai classical and folk dances every day. The site offers guided tours in English that last for three hours.

While you are visiting Bangkok, take a trip outside of the city, to areas such as Sukhumvit, where you can easily find nature adventures. Serviced apartments in Bangkok can serve as your accommodation facilities, while Sukhumvit apartments are excellent if you intend to stay in the suburbs for a few days