The Christian Past of Ayutthaya
'I continue to admire this very large city, on an island surrounded by a river three times the size of the Seine, full of French, English, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese and Siamese vessels, an innumerable number of flat-bottomed boats and gilded galleys with as many as 60 oarsmen .
Hendrick Indijck: The first Dutchman in Angkor Wat
One of the men who risked their lives for the VOC was Hendrik Indijck. It is not clear when exactly he was born, but it is true: according to most historians, this happened around 1615 in Alkmaar. Indijck was a literate and adventurous man.
Dutch wallflowers in Southeast Asia
Most culturally interested visitors to Thailand will come face to face with the impressive statues of what are described in most guidebooks as 'Farang' guards when visiting Wat Pho sooner or later in Bangkok.
The eventful history of the VOC outpost near Phuket
Phuket, the largest Thai island, undoubtedly exerts a great attraction on the Dutch. This is not only the case today, but it was also the case in the seventeenth century.
The VOC Factory in Ayutthaya
In my rather extensive collection of historical maps, plans and engravings of Southeast Asia, there is a nice map 'Plan de la Ville de Siam, Capitale du Royaume de ce nom. Leve par un ingénieur françois en 1687.' In the corner of this fairly accurate Lamare map, at the bottom right of the harbour, is the Isle Hollandoise - the Dutch Island. It is the place where 'Baan Hollanda', the Dutch House in Ayutthaya, is now located.
Dutchmen on the Pattaya market
Here in Pattaya there are many markets, a social meeting place, the same everywhere in the world. We Dutch have also found such a place here on the Tuesday and Friday market. Markets always attract people. Many are there, cafes, eateries and coffee shops. My first market love arose very early on with a James Bond film, partly shot here in Thailand, also in the klongs. I like the Thai smile with the sneakiness behind it. For me it was…