About Our Farm

Aims and Objectives

Jim Thompson aims to preserve and convey the valuable cultural heritage of Thai people, living in the Northeastern region, to both Thai and foreign visitors in order to generate a sense of appreciation towards the ancient and beautiful Isaan customs and traditions.

History

Located on over 600 rai of land at the hillfoot of Payaprab Mountain in Takob Sub-District, Jim Thompson Farm was founded in 1988 as a production site for silk eggs, where farmers would buy fresh cocoons for the silk thread production, and as a mulberry plantation for silkworms. In 2001, Jim Thompson Farm began to open its doors yearly in December as an agricultural site to visitors, who are passionate about nature, to admire the picturesque scenery, gain agricultural experience, learn about the life cycle of silkworms, stroll through the organic vegetable garden and colourful flower fields, as well as to buy some pesticide-free flowers and agricultural products carefully grown by our farmers.

In 2007, Jim Thompson Farm brought the unique Isaan architectural design to Isaan Village, a collection of traditional Isaan houses located on over 10 rai of land, with examples such as, Ruen Korat, Huen Puthai, and Huen Kreungpook. “Isaan Village” has become another attraction welcoming visitors who are fascinated by the valuable architecture, cultures, and traditions of the Isaan region. In addition, visitors may experience the simple and self-sufficient Isaan way of life through the showcase of lifestyles, cultures, traditions, plays, cuisines, and occupations of Isaan people in the past. In 2008, Jim Thompson Farm built and gathered Korat Village, local religious constructions, Huen Tai-Yuan, ancient wood rice mill aged almost 100 years, and many more within the nearby area so as to reflect a variety of native architecture of the Northeast more clearly.

In 2009, Jim Thompson Farm launched the “Art on Farm” project, a result of collaboration between Jim Thompson Art Center and Jim Thompson Farm Tour, as a pilot project by inviting artists to display their artwork in the context of ecological agriculture and architecture of the Northeast with the opportunities to create overlapping work between art, environment, silkworm rearing, agriculture, and architecture in the Northeastern context in order to bridge art, life, and nature. The artists are encouraged to work with nature, local materials, and recycled materials. The art installations will be displayed at various points within the Farm as part of the Jim Thompson Farm Tour route, which is held annually.

In 2012, Jim Thompson Farm has reorganized its event format by setting a show concept for the first year. The show went under the concept “Sud Sanan Dan Isaan”, telling the story of Isan traditional music or Mor Lam, and received a good response from visitors. The show concept of also differentiates Jim Thompson Farm to any other farms, hence the concept is set to change every year within three contexts, such as culture, agriculture, and fabric. Jim Thompson Farm Tour 2019 was “Tam Hook Tam Pa”, telling the story of Isan memories on textiles.

This year, the show concept for Jim Thompson Farm Tour 2020 is “Isan Flowers Fest”, telling the story of positive energy from the field of flowers, covering the area of more than 600 Rais. The farm also provides nine check-in spots for photography with the positive meaning behind the names. This is done by incorporating the word “Jai” (heart), cherished greatly by Isan people, into the names of the nine check-in spots, all with auspicious meanings, for unique photographic experiences. This will help strengthen and uplift the spirit of all our visitors.