abode acrobat . net

Shortly before my departure from England, my good friend Andy presented me with his latest personal contact card which declared him to be “Explorer and Epicurean”. He probably considers himself to be a bit of a Jim Thompson, then.

Thinking he was a British actor who would appreciate a visit from a fellow countryman, I followed the signs to Jim Thompson’s House in Bangkok, but was surprised to discover this referred to the mid 20th century American entrepreneur and adventurer. The traditional-but-modern Thai house he had built before his unexplained 1967 disappearance in the mountains now exhibits the treasures he collected on his travels as a silk trader. As well as the obvious silks and tapestries, this includes various china bowls and teapots - just the kind of thing I recommended my father should ditch when we were packing up the Nottingham house the other week.

Still, the tour was interesting although the guide may have thought I wasn’t taking it very seriously when I suggested that “Tommo” hadn’t taken very good care of a particular Buddha statue. I was reassured when told the statue was lucky to have been saved from the ruins of a temple by Mr Thompson. Good old Jim.

In the event of my unexplained disappearance during tomorrow’s journey north to Chang Mai, I hereby give express instructions that the Docklands storage facility currently holding my possessions should be opened up as a museum. Artefacts of interest may be my travel kettle and a plastic bowl. Perhaps someone could throw in a tie or scarf or something to add a bit of variety.