Bangkok (dpa) – Has he gone to ground? Was he devoured by a wild animal? And is Jim Thompson really one of the most famous Americans in Asia? These are just some of the questions which confront visitors to the Jim-Thompson House in the heart of Bangkok. Here between huts made of teak, Buddha statues and a jungle garden is an oasis of tranquility and tradition twixt skyscrapers and the roar of traffic close to the National Stadium station. “Yes, he is renowned and to many people he is a hero,” explains Panfun Thanommam. However, neither the young guide, historians or police have any answers to the other questions. Designer, architect, industrialist and military expert Thompson vanished on March 27, 1967 during a visit to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. No trace of Thompson, aged 61 at the time, has ever been found in the jungle, not even a scrap of clothing. All attempts to locate the man from the US state of Delaware came to nothing. The headlines went around the world. What remains is the precious former home of the ardent Thailand enthusiast. It comprises six historic teahouses made of teak, his art collection, paintings, furniture, antiques and a big garden. Freshly pressed mango juice at the restaurant is a tasty treat and visitors find themselves admiring the magnificent array of flowers and a pond with fish and sculptures. Lotus blossoms can be seen floating in large dishes. The wooden building complex is painted in a red color made from a traditional preservative solution. The roof tiles were fired in Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand. Most of the old building sections, which Thompson carefully dismantled before having them shipped to Bangkok for reassembly, are around 250 years old. Visitors to these treasure troves of Asian art are obliged to take off their shoes before entering. A tourist from Paris lowers her voice to a near whisper when asks about Thompson's fate and the age of the chandeliers which once dangled from the roofs of Bangkok palaces in the 18th and 19th century. A couple from Montreal is thrilled by the Chinese vases while a student from Chiang Mai explains that she is a great admirer of Jim Thompson. “He has done a great deal for our people,” says the 21-year-old. After World War II Thompson moved to Thailand and became involved in ensuring the quality and export of hand-woven silk. He allowed women to work from home so that they could be with their families and children, and he established the worldwide reputation of Thai silk, according to an entry in the chronicle compiled by the Thompson Foundation. Most people who visit the Thompson House are not visiting Bangkok for the first time. They already know the grand palace and the famous Chao Phraya River temples which attract countless guests. “Between 300 and 600 people a day come to visit us,” said Natteera Yumongkol who helps manage the James H W Thompson Foundation. The 35-year-old points out that most people come here for the history, architecture and mystical atmosphere of the surroundings. Many are also intrigued by the mystery of Thompson's disappearance. The mystery man himself was only able to enjoy this handsome refuge for eight years before he vanished without a trace. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/TTzeE Tags: Bangkok, Jim Thompson, Mystery, Thailand Section: East Asia, Features, Snapshots
