Tilleke & Gibbins Textile Collection
The collection began in 1987 when Southeast Asian textiles to decorate the Bangkok offices of Tilleke & Gibbins legal firm. Later the initiative expanded into a mission of cultural preservation after obtaining rare pieces from northeastern Laos. Today, it is one of the largest private collections of its kind, housing more than 2,000 museum-quality textiles representing diverse ethnic groups from Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, with additional comparative works from India and southern China.

Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Fine Arts

The Tai-Kadai Museum, managed by the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University, is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Tai-Kadai ethnic groups. Established in 1992 to commemorate the 60th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the museum has a rich collection of traditional clothing, accessories, and textiles from Tai-Kadai communities across Laos, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Visitors can explore rare and intricately woven garments, particularly women’s attire from the Segon District in southern Laos, along with embroidered pieces and cultural artefacts that showcase distinctive weaving techniques and material culture. The museum offers exhibitions, publications, and visual materials that contextualize the objects and provide insight into the broader textile and ethnographic heritage of Southeast Asia.

Ban Khrua Nuea Community

With roots dating back more than 200 years when Cham Muslim soldiers were granted land along a canal, this is among Bangkok’s oldest settlements. Once famous as a thriving centre of traditional silk weaving – its artisans producing high‑quality handwoven fabrics that gained international attention through figures like Jim Thompson – the craft still lives on in a few small workshops where visitors can watch weavers at their looms. The atmosphere of narrow lanes and wooden houses offers a rare glimpse into everyday life and tradition in Bangkok. Take the opportunity to purchase handwoven textiles, try local cuisine, and experience an authentic patch of the city’s diverse cultural fabric.

Jim Thompson House Museum

The Jim Thompson House Museum in Bangkok, built in 1959, is a striking complex of six traditional Thai teak houses carefully relocated from Ayutthaya and Ban Khrua, showcasing classic Thai architecture in a serene canal-side setting. It was the home of American architect and former OSS operative Jim Thompson, who is renowned for helping to revitalize the Thai silk industry after World War II. Visitors can wander through a thoughtfully curated collection of Southeast Asian art and antiques—including Buddha sculptures, traditional paintings, Chinese porcelain, and decorative objects—arranged in a warm, lived-in setting. Combined with the house’s lush gardens and tranquil courtyards, the experience offers an immersive journey into Thailand’s rich artistic heritage.