History of the VOC
Baan Hollanda is an information centre located on the original site of the Dutch trading office in the 17th Century, when Ayutthaya was once the kingdom. Therefore, knowing about the VOC is a great starting point to learn more about the Dutch history in Thailand.
The Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, or VOC) founded in 1602 and liquidated in 1795 was the largest and most impressive of early modern trading companies operating in Asia. The Dutch government authorized the VOC to conduct trade, erect fortifications, wage wars, appoint governors, keep a standing army and conclude treaties in its name in an Asian trade zone, covering an area ranging between modern-day Iraq and Japan. Dutch VOC-merchants first arrived in Ayutthaya in 1604. The Thai King of the Siam Kingdom allowed the Dutch to establish their first trading post in the capital Ayutthaya in 1608.
The Dutch not only involved themselves in trade but also participated in Siamese society and politics, largely because such participation served their commercial ends. Their records offer a unique insight into 160 years of trade and diplomacy with the Kingdom of Siam. The huge archives of the VOC are an important source for Thai history, as they contain not only information on trade but also on diplomacy, the history and sociology of the Kingdom of Siam.
The important chronicles by VOC employees, such as Joost Schouten, Jeremias van Vliet and Engelbert Kaempfer beared witness of their profound interest in and knowledge of Siam. Their transcripts are all translated into English and available in Thailand. The 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vingboons produced a number of detailed maps of Ayutthaya (or Iudea, as he called it).
Thai – Dutch Relations
In 2004, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited Thailand to celebrate the 400 years of relations between Thailand and the Netherlands. To celebrate the long and friendly relationship between the two countries, Queen Beatrix announced the Baan Hollanda Information centre as a Royal Gift to King Bhumibol of Thailand.
Baan Hollanda Foundation
Baan Hollanda Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up to run the Baan Hollanda centre. The organisation oversees the management of the centre, operates the facilities as well as promotes historical learning and strengthen understanding between Thailand and the Netherlands. Baan Hollanda consists of the Board of Directors which engage in policy makings, research, extending and bridging networks related to historical studies and other cultural organisations domestically and internationally.
The foundation consists of:
Dr. Pisit Leeahtam, President of Baan Hollanda Foundation and also President of the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce
Dr.Bhawan Ruangsilp, History Professor at Chulalongkorn University, is our Vice President at Baan Hollanda Foundation.
Together with other executive directors from various areas of Dutch – Thai related communities and involvements, we are working continuously to further the study about Dutch history in Thailand to both Thai and international audience. These include:
Dr.Dhiravat Na Pombejra, History Professor at Chulalongkorn University
Khun Gregor Jansen, President of the Dutch Association in Thailand (NVT)
Khun Estrella Montien, Museologist and exhibition design expert.
Although Baan Hollanda is a new and small organisation, we progressively work hard to make sure that we develop and improve the learning quality, environment and better facility services. If you are interested in contacting us, you can send us your message at Contact us page. We will reach you back as soon as we can.
The Architecture
By the early 1600’s the Dutch received land and permission to build a lodge on the east bank of the Chao Phraya river south to the city of Ayutthaya (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site). The Dutch settlement developed into a separate village and was known to be the most elegant and the grandest in the entire Kingdom. The two-story structure, enclosed by a stockade, was known to the Dutch as de logie, the red building. The building was destroyed by invading Burmese armies in 1767.
Between 2004-2008 the Thai Fine Arts Department excavated the Baan Hollanda site on archaeological Findings. The excavations uncovered the remnants of the Dutch lodge with artefacts brought there by the VOC such as Delftware pottery.
In 2004, the Fine Arts Department undertook to excavate and conserve the Dutch settlement in celebration of 400 years of Thai – Dutch relations. Those excavations revealed foundations of three main buildings. Furthermore, an excavation in 2008 revealed further details about the group of buildings, including drain pipes. The excavation has also unearthed many valuable types of artefacts in 2009-2010, such as Chinese porcelain, pottery, Dutch pipes and metal coins. Mostly these were trading goods from the 17th -18th centuries, confirming that this VOC factory was a busy trading spot full of various commodities.
The architecture is based on the descriptions of the Dutch merchant Gijsbert Heeck noted in his diary from the seventeenth century about the than existing trading post. In his journal, he described that the Dutch lodge was a settlement surrounded by water and enclosed by a bamboo palisade and guarded by strong gates. Used as a residence and an office all at once, it formed an autonomous domain.
Our building is now surrounded by beautiful garden where visitors are welcome to walk around and explore the ground. There is no admission fee for our outdoor area.
Corporate Sponsorship
Baan Hollanda is maintaining special partnerships with private parties, companies and funds, allowing us to showcase our unique exhibition, set up research projects and organize special events.
A partnership with Baan Hollanda entails showing social involvement and creates brand awareness. We offer sponsors opportunities to host events, receptions and meetings at the unique location.
Contributions in any way will always be of great importance to our museum. To make our collection and historic site accessible to the audience, your possible support will be greatly appreciated. Your contribution gives us the
opportunity to provide a new public cultural experience and strengthen the link between the museum and local communities.
For more information on partnership, please contact us.
Baan Hollanda’s Appreciation
We are a small and new organisation yet, we are also a dynamic one. During the past couple of years, we organised several events and are in the process of creating new resources for our future development. In this regards, we wish to thank many generous friends and volunteers we worked with and helped us made several work and challenges possible. Thank you for your valuable time at Baan Hollanda and sharing your experiences with us.
Creative volunteer
We would like to thank Khun Adam Bernard, our first creative volunteer, for his kind contribution in our Heritage Weekend event. Khun Adam came to visit us since August 2014 and expressed his wishes to be part of the creative work at Baan Hollanda. He kindly joined us in April 2015 event and spent two full days with us at our art workshop. The session was very popular and created many wonderful experience to our visitors. Without his help, the event day wouldn’t have been as successful as it went. Thank you very much for your generous time at Baan Hollanda.
Operation and event volunteers
We would like to thank Khun Fon-Manita Sooksomsoot, our kind architect friend, for visiting us together with Doctor Platch and Khun Guide which all became our first volunteers in 2015. Khun Fon came to visit us and decided to write our volunteer application form the very same day! They all joined our first event in Bangkok for the Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar and again at our Heritage Weekendl in April 2015 in Ayutthaya.
Khun Fon also gave many advice about architecture and also helped us with graphic design work. Her fun and kind personality made her a very special friend of Baan Hollanda. Doctor Platch and Khun Guide spent many days working with us despite their busy schedule! Thank you very much for your kind help to us.
Photography and Architecture volunteer
Baan Hollanda wishes to extend our appreciation to Assistant Professor Nirandorn Tongaroon for his kind contribution for several images used on this website including header photos as well as other publications to be made for publicising Baan Hollanda centre to the public. Professor Nirandorn also shared with us his architectural khowledge and expertise by giving valuable advice on many topics related to space design to Baan Hollanda. He also inspired many visitors with his sketches on our guestbook and creative photos he had taken. Thank you very much for your help to Baan Hollanda.
Photography Exhibition Opening
We had several kind volunteers who came and support our organisation of the photo exhibition on 23rd January 2016 and we truly would like to express our appreciation to:
Khun Pat Yodmanee
khun Prapatsorn Krangkratog
khun Natthida Vanitchayalai
khun Sorravit Sobprasong
for their kind contribution and positive energy on the event day and making the opening ceremony possible and concluded successfully. Their strong support not only help organised activity that promote Baan Hollanda’s cultural event, but it was also an event that encouraged historical learning and tourism in the local community. Thank you for joining us and support Baan Hollanda.
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