Jim Thompsons House

The former home of Jim Thompson, the man who revitalized the Thai silk industry after World War II, is located at Soi Kasemsan 2, off Rama I Road opposite the National Stadium. In 1967 he disappered in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia under mysteriouse circumstances. Now preserved as a private museum, the Thompson house is an excellent example of traditional Thai domestic architecture, while inside is displayed Thompsons impressive collection of Oriental antiques.

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Open Mon-Sat 09:00 - 17:00.

Suan Pakkard Palace

The former residence of the late Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga on Si Ayutthaya Road has five traditional Thai houses overlooking a landscaped garden. The houses contain a collection of Asian qntiques, while the highlight is a 300-year-old lacquer pavilion, its interior walls displaying the Thai decorative art of gilt on black lacquer.

Open daily except Sundays, 09:00 - 16:00.

Snake Farm

On Rama IV Road near Lumpini Park, the Pasteur Institute, part of the Thai Red Cross, is famous for its large collection of poisonous snakes from whose venom snake-bite sera are made. Demonstrations of snake handling and venom extraction are given at 10:30 and 14:00, and these are undoubtedly the best times to visit.

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Open weekdays 08:30 - 15:30.

Weekend Market

In the northern part of the city at Chatuchak Park, off Phaholyothin Road near the Northern Bus Terminal, this open-air market is a browsers paradise, jammed with hundreds of stalls selling just about everything from potted plants to practically new antiques, from cds to clothing, from socks to souvenirs.

Open Sat - Sun 06:00 - 18:00.