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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S0VQ5XRw6cmdqAQBLtqeWHqBd8eWnmmOB8f+rhZbpTUa46KIiBz0XKjMsCVu3saf
 Vo7Z5b9lH0fDbg1XnaWbAQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001335389-06-000208.txt : 20061201
<SEC-HEADER>0001335389-06-000208.hdr.sgml : 20061201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061201163241
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001335389-06-000208
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Paspal Steve
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001328609

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08568
		FILM NUMBER:		061251672

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		1-800-722-4414

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SOVEREIGN ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.
		STREET 2:		1235 WESTLAKES DRIVE
		CITY:			BERWYN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19312

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK JOHN BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000925683
		IRS NUMBER:				043241844
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-663-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN REGIONAL BANK & THRIFT FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000925683</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HANCOCK JOHN BANK &amp; THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>bto</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001328609</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Paspal Steve</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SOVEREIGN ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1235 WESTLAKES DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BERWYN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19312</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, the Adviser</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steve Paspal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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