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The Beginning of Relations with Buropean Nations and Japan
Denmark
Trade between Denmark and Thailand first commenced in 1621 during the reign of King Songtham. On that occasion, Denmark 's East India Company, established in 1616, had sent a ship to Mergui and Tenasserim under the command of a Dutch captain named Crappe. He also bore a letter from Okya Tanausri, the Governor of Tenasserim, the contents of which are as follows :
Letter of Okya Chaiyathibodi Srironarongaluchai Aphaiphiriyahyarakromaphahu, Governor of the great city of Tenasserim, to the Reth of Athilamas :
The following royal decree is given to the great city of Tenasserim. It is hereby decreed that foreign merchants entering the harbour of the great city of Tenasserim to trade, and having accomplished their business should either be leaving the city or be moving on to the metropolis of Ayutthaya, are to be given every facility to carry on their business without cause for irritation. An old tradition exists between Athilamas and Tenasserim that merchants from Athilamas should be able to travel within the territory belonging to the great city of Tenasserim. And now the Reth of Athilamas, in consideration of our mutual regards, wishing to establish friendship with us, has instructed Captain Karabes of Athilamas to bring a ship into the port of the great city of Tenasserim. Captain Karabes of Athilamas informs us that the Reth of Athilamas is in good health and in the good company of all his chief councillors and generals and that the country of Athilamas is happy and prosperous. We are glad to hear this and have therefore had Captain Karabes of Athilamas and his soldiers entertained as our guests. Moreover, we have permitted them to carry on their trade in accordance with all their wishes. The duties accruing to us and the fees due to our chief councillors by ancient custom have been reduced for Captain Karabes of Athilamas owing to our desire to establish a close friendship with the Reth of Athilamas. Whatever will further cement the ties of friendship between the great city of Tenasserim and Athilamas, and whatever will facilitate the continued trade of merchants from Athilamas in the great city of Tenasserim, we shall leave to the wits of the Reth of Athilamas.
Given on Friday, the 13th day of the waxing moon of the first month of the Year of the Cock, being the third decade (corresponding to the 10th of December 1621).
In another letter, the Reth of Athilamas was referred to as the Retho of Dilamas. Since Portuguese was a widely used language at the time, I surmise that the authors of the letters were attempting to write the Portuguese words Rei de Dinamarca, meaning King of Denmark.
The Governor of Tenasserim 's letter clearly indicated that Thailand has never shut the door to trade with other countries, although customs and dues were usually levied in this connection. However, in the above case, Thailand was prepared to waive the customs and dues for the sake of friendly relations with the Danes.
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