Jim Thompson House, a Canal Boat and Sunset from the Golden Mount
An afternoon that shows you three different Bangkoks in four hours. Visit the teak house of Jim Thompson, the American who rebuilt the Thai silk trade and then vanished without trace in 1967; cross the city on a public canal boat, the way commuters do; and climb the Golden Mount at Wat Saket for sunset over the old town, with a photo stop at the floodlit Giant Swing on the way back.
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From Silk to Sunset: the Jim Thompson House and Wat Saket in One Afternoon
A Jim Thompson House tour in half a day that weaves together art, canals and views, getting around Bangkok the way the people of Bangkok do. You start with the skytrain or the metro to the pier and then the local commuter boat, the real one, which runs along the whole old city as far as the white Rama VIII bridge. Wat Benchamabophit was built by Rama V, who wanted Carrara marble for its walls: it is the temple on the back of the five baht note, and in its cloister stand some fifty Buddha images, copies of the most famous ones in Asia. Then by tuk tuk to Wat Saket, an artificial hill born from the collapse of an over-ambitious chedi: three hundred spiral steps among bronze bells, and at the top the view over the whole city. You finish at the Jim Thompson House, the American who revived Thai silk and then vanished without trace. Choose between the private and the group option, whichever suits you best.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFBKK12 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Bangkok |
| Duration | Half Day |
| Tour Type | Excursions |
| Tour Format | Private |
| Guide Language | Italian, English, Multilingual |
| Interests | Culture & Temples, Nature & Trekking |
| Available Period | All year round |
| Availability | Departures every day |
Sample Itinerary
You start on the skytrain or the underground as far as the pier on the Chao Phraya, and then on the line boat: the real one, the commuters’ one, that berths sideways and pulls away before you have got off. You run along the whole old city as far as the Rama VIII bridge, the white single-pylon bridge that lights up at night.
Rama V had it built at the end of the nineteenth century and wanted Carrara marble for its walls, brought over from Italy. It is the temple Italians recognise without knowing it: it is on the back of the five baht note. In the cloister some fifty images of the Buddha stand in a row, copies of the most famous ones in all of Asia, placed there because the king wanted to see them side by side.
By tuk tuk to the foot of the only high ground in central Bangkok, which is not really high ground at all: it is an artificial hill, born from the collapse of an over-ambitious chedi and later reinforced with thousands of teak trunks. You climb a spiral stairway of more than three hundred steps, among bronze bells that the faithful ring one by one, and at the top stands the golden chedi with the relics of the Buddha given by India in 1899. From up there you read the city at a glance: on one side the low roofs of the old city, on the other the wall of skyscrapers.
You go down to the Saen Saep canal, right below the temple, and take the boat as far as Hua Chang. Jim Thompson was an American architect who came to Thailand with the secret services at the end of the war; he stayed, found the Muslim weavers of Ban Krua still working by hand, and in twenty years brought Thai silk back onto the markets of the world. His house is made of six traditional teak houses, taken apart in the villages and rebuilt here on a garden overlooking the canal, full of the art collection he had put together. In 1967 he went out for an afternoon walk in the Cameron Highlands, in Malaysia, and never came back: he was never found.
At the end of the evening, a comfortable transfer takes you back to your hotel.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- English-speaking assistance
- Professional English-speaking guide
- All transfers (private or public)
- Entrance fees to the attractions
Not Included
- Tips
- Meals, snacks or drinks
- Personal extras
Useful Tips
- Clothing for entering Wat Saket must be respectful: shoulders and knees must be strictly covered.
- We recommend closed, comfortable, non-slip shoes: they will help you move easily when getting on and off the public canal boat and when climbing the steps of the Golden Mount.
- Keep your camera handy to capture the magic of the evening light on the Giant Swing and the view from the top of Wat Saket.
Notes
For SIC excursions, a THB 450 per person, per way surcharge applies to guests who:
· stay in private apartments or residences;
· stay in hotels located West of the Chao Phraya River;
· stay in areas beyond Sukhumvit 25, the Khaosan Road area and all areas of the historical centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalized itinerary. For each excursion you will find precise information on:
- Difficulty level: easy, moderate or demanding.
- Duration: from half a day to a full day.
- Requirements: minimum level of fitness, recommended age and accessibility.
Please also bear in mind that sea excursions by speedboat are usually not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Travelers with disabilities should be accompanied by someone who can assist them when needed. If you have any doubts or specific requirements, your Travel Consultant is always at your disposal for personalized advice.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions make an activity dangerous or inadvisable, the excursion will be:
- Rescheduled: we will try to move the activity to another day of your trip.
- Replaced: if rescheduling is not possible, we will offer an alternative activity of equal value.
- Refunded: if neither rescheduling nor replacement is possible, you receive a refund for the excursion you were unable to take. Bank and collection fees on online payments are not refundable.
Please remember that rain during the wet season rarely spoils an entire day. You will always be informed in advance of any changes.
What are the pick-up times?
All meeting and pick-up details are clearly stated in your final travel documents (which you receive about 3 weeks before departure).
- Time: we will let you know the exact pick-up time. Please be ready at the agreed place at least 15 minutes beforehand.
- Pick-up point: in most cases the pick-up takes place directly in the lobby of your accommodation (if it lies within the areas covered by the service). If it does not, we will tell you the nearest meeting point.
What should I bring with me on the excursions?
For every excursion we provide a list of recommended items. In general, we always suggest:
- Suitable clothing: for example, long pants and no low-cut tops when visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, light and breathable clothes for hot areas, a swimsuit, or comfortable shoes for light trekking.
- Protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Hydration: water, especially on hot days.
- Vouchers and documents: where required, a copy (digital or printed) of your booking voucher.
Are meals or drinks included during the tours?
It depends on the excursion. The description of each tour in your itinerary clearly states whether the following are included:
- Lunch, dinner or snacks.
- Water or other drinks.
If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please let us know when you book, so that we can inform our local partners in advance.
Can I cancel or change a single excursion?
Yes, but specific terms apply. Cancellation and amendment conditions vary from one activity to another.
You will find the exact details for each excursion in the Terms and Conditions attached to your quotation. If you need to make a change or a cancellation, please write to us at info@thailandfantastic.com as soon as possible.
Are young children and infants allowed?
It depends on the activity. Some excursions, especially those by boat or those requiring physical effort, may have age or height restrictions for safety reasons. Any such restriction is stated in the tour description.
Please always tell us the exact age of every participant, children in particular, when you request a quotation.
