Jim Thompson:The Unsolved Myst

The Jim Thompson mystery, how a successful American silk manufacturer disappeared in the wilds of Malaysia was probably one of the first things I read in a guidebook about Thailand before visiting. So my first vacation while on the JET program was in Thailand and it was then that I first visited the beautiful traditional Thai-style Jim Thompson House preserved in Bangkok by the river. On subsequent return visits I often stop by to sit at the lotus pond of the cafe. I finally decided to read William Warren's definitive account of the mystery, Jim Thompson: The Unsolved Mystery (1999). To be honest I much preferred the first half of the book which recounts Thompson's life and his success with Thai silk. The background information about Thailand during and after WWII was also quite fascinating, I did not know that Thailand declared war on the US-I had always assumed they were neutral. The second half of the book meticulously looks at the many suggested answers to the mystery of Thompson's disappearance-perhaps too much attention. But it is a very compelling story with lots of good background information about Thompson adopted home of Thailand.

I am a huge fan of Jim Thompson fabrics. As an interior designer, I am quite familiar with their extraordinary beauty. This biography was well written and enjoyable. The latter part of the book that explores theories of his disappearance was less interesting. Thompson’s disappearance reminds me of Michael Rockefeller, who disappeared in New Guinea.

Good background of Mr. Thompson and his rise in the Thai silk industry. The fact that he went missing with few clues leaves a lot to the imagination but that was about all that the book could summon.

This was a book that I could hardly put down. It wasn't the writing that drew me to the book; it was the subject, Jim Thompson, whom I had never heard of before. What a guy Jim Thompson was! He lived his life with zest. How I wish I could have known him. I envied the many Americans who turned up in Bangkok with a letter of introduction to him resulting in an invitation to his home for dinner and conversation. While reading this book I often found myself thinking about his life, the impact he had on the Thai silk industry, his disappearance and the unsuccessful search for him. I hope he would not mind that I honored him by naming my dog Jimmie after him.

We travel to Thailand often and had become very interested in the story of Jim Thompson - we have visited his house in Bangkok which is an amazing oasis in the middle of that huge busy city.The book filled in the blanks on his life though I was less interested in all the theories on his disappearance, which was a substantial part of the book.I think there is another book to be written about this fascinating characterThere are photos in the book of his home and it is amazing to see that the Thais have left the house almost exactly as he left it. The Thai people hold him in high regard as he took the Thai silk industry from cottage work to the international market - an interesting read about an interesting man - just too many theories........

I was one of the students attending Dalat School who searched for Jim. For several days we followed the jungle trails calling out his name. We did not stray from these trails as that would have slowed us down considerably, and we ourselves might have gotten lost. We called out so that if he heard us he would respond and we would locate him. But there was no response. In my opinion he had an accident. As to Miss Liang's story, I can confirm its veracity.I lived in Bangkok during the vacation periods. I visited his store and spoke to Bill, the manager mentioned at the end of the story. I told him about the part we played in the search. I also asked whether the company would be willing to donate enough silk to cover the school yearbook. They most generously did. I still have the yearbook with the silk cover.Earlier, in the 1950s my family lived in Korat. My dad, a missionary who know the province well, took Jim to a number of silk villages; our contribution to the success of this incredible man.

I first read "The Ideal Man" by Joshua Kurlantzick, another book about Thompson. Whereas Kurlantizick never met Thompson and focused a lot on the political situation during the period Thompson was in Thailand, Warren did get to know him and focused more on the conspiracy theories that surfaced after his mysterious disappearance. The books complimented one another and gave a good picture of Thompson, the times, and his legend. Worth reading if you ever travel to Thailand and/or are interested in what was going on in East Asia from after WWII through the Vietnam War.

This story is very intriguing

Some parts recreate an interesting portrait of foreigners (and their attitudes) in Thailand of the period.The book started out well but too much of the book focused on mediums' visions and theories, which wasn't to my personal taste.

This fascinating biography held my attention to the last page, something that rarely happens with me. I suppose it helped that I'd visited Jim Thompson's house in Bangkok. We all love a mystery so it's also possible that I might not have read the book had it not been for the mystery of Thompson's disappearance in 1967. I found that so intriguing I couldn't resist reading the book. The author (William Warren) gives four possible reasons for Thompson's disappearance, all which have serious weaknesses. The reasons are: that he had an accident in the jungle but wasn't found after an intensive search, that he committed suicide even though his closest friends said he wasn't the type, that he was kidnapped for a ransom that was never demanded, and that he was abducted for political reasons even though there doesn't appear to be a strong political motive for abducting him. My theory is much more mundane. I think he had an accident either before he entered the jungle or after he left it. Possibly he was knocked down by a reckless driver who didn't want to report it and face a manslaughter charge so removed his body to a remote area to dispose of it, either by burial or some other means.

The perfect book to read when traveling to Bangkok or to many of the beautiful islands of Thailand. Thrilling till the last minute. Must see the home of JT at the klong.

Even if you spend a couple of days in Bangkok, the story of Jim Thompson's life and disappearance is a must read. His influence is all over Thailand and it is a fascinating book

Having visited Thailand, I was encouraged to purchase this book by a local man. It was a most interesting read so I am very pleased I took his advice.