Architectural, Cultural sights in Bangkok
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Jim Thompson’s House
In 1959, 12 years after he discovered the fine silks being woven across the klorng in Baan Krua and single-handedly turned Thai silk into a hugely successful export business, American Jim Thompson bought this piece of land on Khlong Saen Saeb and built himself a house. It wasn’t, however, any old house. Thompson’s love of all things Thai saw him buy six traditional wooden homes and reconstruct them in this jungle-like garden. Some of the homes were brought from the old royal capital of Ayuthaya; others were pulled down and floated across the klorng from Baan Krua –including the first building you enter on the tour. Beware well-dressed touts in soi near the Thompson ho…
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B
Kukrit Pramoj House
Author and statesman Mom Ratchawong Kukrit Pramoj (1911–95) once resided in this charming complex now open to the public for tours. Surrounded by a manicured garden famed for its Thai bonsai trees, five teak buildings introduce visitors to traditional Thai architecture, arts and to the former resident, who wrote more than 150 books (including the highly respected Four Reigns), served as prime minister of Thailand in 1974 and ’75 and spent 20 years decorating this house. The last tour begins at 4.30pm.
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C
Old Customs House
Old Customs House was once the gateway to Thailand, levying taxes on traders moving in and out of the kingdom. It was designed by an Italian architect and built in the 1880s; the front door opened onto its source of income (the Chao Phraya river) and the grand facade was ceremoniously decorated in columns and transom windows. Today it’s a crumbling yet hauntingly beautiful home to the fire brigade, with sagging shutters, peeling yellow paint and laundry flapping on the balconies.
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