Jim Thompson
 

Does one shop at Jim Thompson when visiting the house/taking the tour? Or do you shop at the outlets?

both! There are Jim Thompson shops all over Bangkok (including many hotels, the museum, the airport...) but the main shop has the largest selection.

The outlet that is just a few hundred yards from the main shop is worthwhile for cheaper silk (previous years' collections)

There is a Jim Thompson store at the House, but it's small and doesn't carry a full range of Jim Thompson goods. If you are at all interested in JT merchandise, take the time to go to the main store and see the full range. If you see something special there that you must have, buy it there.

The outlet has mechandise that has been discontinued, so you'll find jewelry boxes, purses, etc that are in patterns no longer made (as well as lots of fabric, including current fabric but in smaller pieces). The discounts at the outlet store usually run from 30-70% off. Everything I purchased this last trip was at least 50% off.

My son and his wife went crazy and bought bunches of JT stuff. To maximize, visit the main store and the larger outlet way out Sukhumvit, sort of near the On Nut skytrain stop(you should take a taxi after getting off the BTS).

i always prefer to go to the main shop of the JT company on suriwong first and see what they have...i also go to the shop at the house (limited inventory, as are the hotel and mall shops)...i then go to the soi 93 sukhumvit outlet...all take time of course....but the merchandise is about the best available in thailand...

I was shocked to see the prices at Jim Thompson. The goods were extremely overpriced. Even little nick nacks like lipstick holders are about $12. After reading all about this place we made a special trip to the store and were disappointed at the limited range of products and the prices. The quality was good but at those prices, forget about it.....We did not even bother going to the outlet which is apparently far from BKK.

The outlet store is in Bangkok, just a bit out of the way on soi 90something off of Sukhumvit. Monsoon, your previous posts lead me to believe that you had anticipated Thailand to have India prices, which it does not. Still, I can't imagine that the little lipstick cases were 480 baht. I just pulled some outlet store items out of my closet. I have some small purses and some medium sized jewelry boxes that were originally 600 baht (US$15) and I purchased for half price. I also purchased a Jim Thompson purse this trip at the outlet store for US$70. I don't buy designer knock-offs. I'd rather have thre real Jim Thompson goods than fake Louis Vitton.

The Jim Thompson things are beautiful and very high quality.

The outlet is at Sukhumvit 15 soi 93 and NOT too deep into the soi...and on the left-hand side of the street. You can't miss it. There's a big Jim Thompson sign. Take the skytrain...out Sukhumvit Rd... to the end line of On Nut...which will be heading east and then get off and walk along the side of the street that is heading east and get a taxi and have the taxi drive you the rest of the way. It was around 39Baht. Around 40-41 baht is a U.S. dollar. When you leave the outlet, there will be someone outside who can get you a taxi back to the On Nut Skytrain station. It's a LOT faster and cheaper to take the skytrain to the end station than to sit forever in a taxi going all the way out Sukumvit Rd. On Nut is at soi 77. Happy Travels!

I used to take guests to the main store at Silom Road - which has the best selection, sizes available in everything, etc. If they LOVED the stuff the way I do I would make the effort to spend half a day taking them to the outlet. If they were OK with just picking up a couple knick knacks I would not. I'd say do that - the outlet on Soi 93 is fabulos but only if you really like JT stuff, want to buy loads of it and have half a day to spare.

in our opinion the prices are reasonable for the quality....its like shopping in saks vs shopping in macy's or kohls....no comparison...

its all relative as well...we most often find tons of stuff at the outlet...it turns over quickly as well...the quarterly warehouse sale is where you really find the bargains however...

I totally agree with Rhkkmk(Bob) as for the prices. These are high-end,high-quality goods and cost far less than the same types of goods made by western design houses. I love Jim Thompson items. Happy Travels!

As for the outlet. It's not THAT far away if you get on the skytrain and then transfer to a taxi as I suggested above. I did A LOT of shopping there and was out of there in less than an hour and back over to the skytrain and on to my next shopping destination. Happy Traverls!

From the river, I take the skytrain and then a taxi to get to the outlet store quickly and easily. However, I do admit to taking a taxi back... so many bags of purchases!

Looks like the JT Outlet will have to be on my must-do list for the trip to BKK next week. I love their purses and cosmetic bags. DH likes their ties. I've never bought pillows or fabric pieces, but the fabrics are gorgeous, and the quality of the work is exceptional. $70-100 for a JT silk purse (that gets me ooooodles of compliments at home) is a fantastic buy, imho.

Carol

there are two JT outlets....the second one and one that not many people go to is on the other end of suriwong from the main store...it has almost 98% fabric by the yard...so if you are not shopping for fabric then skip this stop....the soi 93 outlet also has tons of fabric (more in fact than the place on suriwong) but also has JT general merchandise...don't however go to the outlets intending to find certain items as they will never be there...go expecting to find surprises at fantastic prices...

At the outlet, I found a great, huge totebag with an elephant on the front. ..very cool...and at only 800Baht. I remember when they were in the regular store at about double that...if I remember correctly. Plus, if that same bag had been made by any big-name western designer, there's no doubt in my mind that it would have sold for a good 5-6 times the price that I paid. Happy Travels!

i can't wait to shop at jim thompson. Do they sell sheet sets? I'm assuming this would be silk though and not the high thread count egyptian cotton kind--are these good to buy in Thailand?

They do not sell sheet sets that I've ever seen. JT has cotton fabrics as well as silk. I purchased a king size duvet cover and pillow covers at the outlet for about US$100 and it's gorgeous.

Jacqui, no sheet sets aren't something you'll buy in Thailand.

sounds like they have cotton bedding so that's good enough! Can't wait to check it out..$100 is a bargain for top quaility.

oh.and kathie--were these bought at the main store or the outlet?