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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,
 G6UNMK6tGwdxYf9Ua734f84uF4b/8mK7v2L6LpsALwA00j7TgipN0n6MbdnYxYXy
 2J7d0yU/pLeZ7vv4ZGrNng==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001228616-08-000003.txt : 20080606
<SEC-HEADER>0001228616-08-000003.hdr.sgml : 20080606
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080606152748
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001228616-08-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080603
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080606
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080606

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Leary Michael
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001436763

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08568
		FILM NUMBER:		08885582

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-663-4490

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001436763</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Leary Michael</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>601 CONGRESS STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02210</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>Michael Leary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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