Jim Thompson — CIA Operative and Thai Silk King Vanishes on Malaysian Jungle Walk

On March 26, 1967, Jim Thompson — the American businessman who revived Thailand's silk industry after World War II and who had previously worked for the OSS (forerunner of the CIA) — went for an afternoon walk in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia and was never seen again. His house companions noticed his absence around 3 PM; despite an extensive search, no trace was ever found. Thompson had become one of the most celebrated Westerners in Southeast Asia, transforming Thai silk into an internationally recognized luxury product and becoming a fixture of Bangkok's expatriate social world. The Cameron Highlands was a familiar holiday retreat for wealthy expatriates. The circumstances of his disappearance were remarkable for what was absent: no footprints leading away from the bungalow's grounds, no disturbed vegetation, no sounds of struggle, no response to search parties calling his name. Thompson was in good health, familiar with the area, and was known as an experienced traveler. The CIA connection has fueled speculation about assassination, with theories ranging from Chinese intelligence to disgruntled business rivals to political enemies in Thailand. Other theories include tiger attack (no remains found), kidnapping, or voluntary disappearance. Thompson was known to have possessed extensive knowledge of CIA operations in Southeast Asia. His disappearance occurred at a particularly sensitive moment in American intelligence activity in the region during the Vietnam War.