Thailand - Last Day but first day of 2012

The first day of 2012 we drove 2 hours back to Bangkok.  After lunch, I took a water taxi down the river to the SkyLink (their metro) to go visit the famous Jim Thompson House.

Jim Thompson's House

Jim Thompson was an American from Delaware who volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army - he was sent to Europe and then Asia - though the war ended before he saw any action.  He fell in love with Thailand and after leaving the army moved to Bangkok.  The art of weaving silk caught Jim Thompson's attention and he devoted himself to reviving the craft.  He was gifted as a designer and textile colorist, he significantly contributed to the industry's growth of silk.

He also became well-known for the construction of this house combining six teak traditional houses together. (Before the war, he was a practicing architect).  Similar to western houses (but different than Thai house) he combined the buildings so he could walk from the bedroom to the living room to the dining room.  Also he had the staircase inside the house.

Grand Palace

On March 26, 1967 Jim Thompson disappeared while on vacation in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.  He went for a walk in the woods (not telling anyone where he was going) and just disappeared.  Not a single valid clue has turned up on what happened to him.

For dinner we went on a river cruise and final dinner along the Chao Phraya River.  It was a nice way to see the buildings all lit up and it was another lovely evening!

Highlights of Thailand Group!

Jan. 2 - I had one of the best oil massages I have ever had, then got into a taxi to the airport and was home by 6:30pm!