Jim Thompson announces the official opening of the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter. This cultural and retail destination is the result of a significant multimillion-dollar investment. The Heritage Quarter serves as a beacon of Jim Thompson’s ongoing strategy to ascend as Asia’s first iconic global lifestyle brand.
In the heart of Bangkok, nestled within an oasis, is the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter, a captivating cultural and lifestyle destination. This innovative space seamlessly blends the original Jim Thompson House Museum with a wealth of exciting new attractions, all conveniently located near the vibrant Jim Thompson Art Center. These additions include Museum About the Man, a dedicated exhibition honoring the brand’s founder; The Evolving World of Jim Thompson Textiles, a permanent exhibition; the modern The Iconic Store; and an expansive hospitality complex centered around Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant. Complementing the restaurant are The O.S.S. Bar, The O.S.S. Room for afternoon tea, Jim’s Terrace for tapas and Silk Café for casual dining, and the multipurpose event space – the Moonlight Hall.
The opening of the Heritage Quarter signifies a pivotal step in Jim Thompson’s journey to reinforce its identity as an iconic global lifestyle brand from Asia. The Heritage Quarter serves as a testament to the brand’s ‘Beyond Silk’ vision, encompassing its expansion into the realms of fashion, home furnishings, and hospitality. Within this cultural hub, the compelling narrative of James H.W. Thompson, often referred to as the “Thai Silk King,” unfolds — from his early career as an architect in New York to his involvement with the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, now known as the CIA), to his significant role in shaping the Thai silk industry and his renowned art collection. This heritage and innovative spirit are beautifully celebrated within this cultural hub.
Frank Cancelloni, Group CEO at Jim Thompson, said, “Today marks a defining moment in our mission to evolve as Asia’s first iconic lifestyle brand with the grand opening of the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter. This represents more than mere expansion; it’s a fusion of culture, innovation, and lifestyle that captures the essence of our brand’s evolution and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Through this strategic investment in this multifaceted cultural, historical, hospitality, and retail destination, we are not only paying homage to our founder’s enduring legacy but also sculpting a future in which Jim Thompson becomes synonymous with an Asian-inspired lifestyle. Our vision stands resolute — we aspire to deliver an experience that is undeniably Jim Thompson: deeply rooted in Thai heritage, universally appealing, and at the forefront of innovation.”
Jim Thompson’s global reach extends beyond the operation of its three factories in Thailand, encompassing a network of retail stores, home furnishings showrooms, distributors and restaurants, consolidating the brand’s international presence. This broad reach is epitomised by the Heritage Quarter, designed to serve an audience that ranges from local patrons to international visitors, thus reinforcing Jim Thompson’s status as a prominent feature in Thailand’s prime tourism destinations.
The Jim Thompson House Museum is recognised as one of Bangkok’s top 5 attractions, earning a spot in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2022. It is notably frequented by a diverse international audience, with over 320,000 tourists visiting yearly. The top five visitors by nationality are American, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, reflecting its global appeal and significance as a cultural landmark.
In alignment with its international expansion, Jim Thompson is forging key partnerships and collaborations with Panpuri Wellness, Thai Airways, emerging Thai artists and designers, as well as upcoming partnerships with international brands. In recent years, Jim Thompson has revitalised its retail presence in tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Fashion Retail
The fashion division of Jim Thompson is recognised for its aspirational lifestyle collections, ready-to-wear apparel, and accessories, standing out with its signature products, seasonal items, Artists-in-Residence series, and limited-edition collections that appeal to international tourists and the burgeoning Thai urban market that prioritise sustainable and ethical consumption.
As the company sets an ambitious trajectory for its fashion division, it is not just paving the way for a more connected global presence with the rollout of localised websites catering to markets in Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, it is also amplifying its retail footprint. In partnership with King Power, Jim Thompson is poised to expand within the travel retail sector, with new store locations at Don Mueang (Bangkok) Airport and Phuket downtown. Additionally, the brand is elevating its retail experience with a new duplex Lifestyle Store in the prestigious One Bangkok development, showcasing its commitment to bringing its signature quality and craftsmanship closer to a global audience.
Currently, Jim Thompson operates 25 stores across Thailand, featuring ready-to-wear, scarves, bags and accessories as the top product categories. Each product showcases the brand’s dedication to meeting the diverse needs of its clientele, and is infused with the brand’s unique touch of fine silk, highlighting Jim Thompson’s commitment to quality.
Hospitality
Alongside, Jim Thompson continues to expand its footprint in the Hospitality sector. Jim Thompson restaurants are already renowned for their Thai cuisine and first-rate hospitality, offering customers a unique “vibe” dining experience with a curated selection of contemporary Thai dishes honed over many years of F&B experience. Plans include opening Jim’s Terrace at One Bangkok and the regional expansion of Jim Thompson, a Thai Restaurant X The O.S.S. Bar.
Home Furnishings
A significant part of the brand, Jim Thompson Home Furnishings offers a unique and comprehensive range of textiles, technical performance fabrics, wallcoverings, trimmings, and furniture suitable for high-end residential and international hospitality projects.
With 35% of ‘The World’s 50 Best Hotels’ featuring Jim Thompson fabrics (such as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, The Siam, Four Seasons in Bangkok, Cheval Blanc Paris, Park Hyatt Vendôme Paris, The Savoy London, Capella Singapore, Park Hyatt Milan, Amanzoe in Greece, and One & Only Mandarina – Mexico), the brand’s footprint in home furnishings is unparalleled. The brand’s presence is fortified by showrooms in key cities: Bangkok, London, Atlanta, New York, and Paris.
The division’s expansive global distribution network spans over 60 countries, strengthened by two key subsidiaries: Jim Thompson America, founded in 2011, and Jim Thompson UK, in 2015. In North America, the brand has established its presence through 22 multiline showrooms, while in Europe, the distribution network spans 28 countries. Furthermore, the brand is charting growth plans to bolster its presence in Asia and the Middle East.
As Jim Thompson eyes expansion in the short-term, the company’s mid- to long-term plans are equally ambitious and exciting, hinting at ventures like a Jim Thompson Hotel, introducing a homeware category (‘Maison’ Jim Thompson), conceptualising a television mini-series inspired by the life of Jim Thompson, and unveiling a Jim Thompson+ concept store. As it envisions establishing itself as Asia’s preeminent iconic global lifestyle brand, the company’s ethos, steeped in Thailand’s vibrant culture, offers an unparalleled brand experience.
