The most famous American expat in Thai history is “Jim” Thompson, who singlehandedly revived Thailand’s silk industry after WWII. Thompson remains a real legendary figure in Thailand, and throughout all of Asia, even to this day. He continues to inspire the imaginations of those who want to make it big here through hard work and perseverance. 

 

James (“Jim”) Harrison Wilson Thompson (21 March 1906 – 26 March 26 1967, the date he disappeared) was born in Greenville, Delaware. He was the son of a wealthy textile manufacturer. Thompson graduated from Princeton University and did some graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture.

 

Thompson moved to New York City in 1931 and worked as an architect design homes until 1940. In 1941, before the start of WWII, Thompson enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard. He was soon encouraged to join the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS), forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

 

After his first OSS assignment in North Africa, Thompson was sent to Sri Lanka in May 1945 to work with the “Seri Thai (or Free Thai” Movement). This underground organisation was dedicated to ending the Japanese occupation of Thailand by clandestine means. The group also had the support of Pridi Panomyong, the regent to King Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII) and Seni Pramoj, Thai ambassador to the United States. Thompson arrived in Bangkok shortly WWII ended in August 1945.

 

In early 1946, Thompson started working as the U.S. Embassy’s military attaché. Also working at the Embassy was Kenneth Landon, an American missionary. His wife, Margaret Landon, was the best selling author of “Anna and the King of Siam”. Her book was made into a movie of the same name in 1946. This was later retitled and filmed in 1956 as “The King and I”. In 1946, Thompson joined a group of investors to buy The Oriental Hotel that was in dire need of restoration, but soon disposed of his shares due to a dispute with the other investors. He then concentrated on the locally woven silk that had caught his attention. Thompson instantly fell in love with the texture, colours and vibrancy of the scintillating silk material. He also found the whole industry was on the brink of extinction and vowed to revive it.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/lifestyle/a-legend-in-his-own-time-jim-thompson/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2021-05-25

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My choice for the movie actor to play Jim Thompson would have been William Holden ... unfortunately, a role he did not get to portray. Guess I am reflecting Holden's roles in , "The World of Suzie Wong" and "Bridge on the River Kwai".

Nice house

1 minute ago, clivebaxter said:

Nice house

No, beautiful houses - and the art collection inside is one of Bangkok's very special places.

3 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

Nice house

No, that's incorrect, you see? o_O

Complete mystery as to where and what truly happened to him.  Cloak and dagger type of dissapeance. 

It was 20 baht to get in first time I went, before they built on the garden. Thought the main theory was he went to negotiate with commie insurgents in the jungle and they topped him?