400-year anniversary of relations between Denmark and Thailand

This year marks 400 years of official relation between Thailand and Denmark (1621 – 2021). 400 Years that has brought many great benefits, business and relationships between the two countries and their people. 

A few historic examples of Thai/Danish relationship with links to more details: 

Several Danish Navy-Officers has served in the Siamese Navy - among them, Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu (pictured left). He arrived in Bangkok in 1875, joined the Royal Siamese Navy and ended up as a Siamese Vice Admiral, Minister of the Navy and finally Admiral En Suite in 1902.

Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu was granted the Thai noble title Phraya Chonlayutthayothin (Thai: ???????????????????)

https://scandasia.com/6074-andreas-du-plessis-de-richelieu-the-admiral-who-went-ashore/

The Danish captain Hans Niels Andersen came ashore in Bangkok in 1879, bought the Oriental Hotel, and founded his own company Andersen & Co in 1884 and in 1897 Andersen founded the East Asiatic Company Ltd. (EAC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Niels_Andersen

The Royal Thai Provincial Military Police (Gendarmerie at the time) formed 1897 by King Chulalongkorn with the Dane, Lieutenant Colonel Gustav Schau, as its first commander in chief - as well as other Danish officers in the ranks.

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/featured/danish-history-in-northern-thailand/

Hans Marqvard Jensen arrived in Thailand in 1900 as a Premier Lieutenant at the age of 22. He successfully defended Lampang against a Shan rebellion but was killed a few days later when trying to pursue the rebels. https://scandasia.com/the-dane-who-saved-the-north/

Year 1888 - The first ever tramway in Bangkok operated by a Danish company. The tram at that time still had to be driven by horses. 

In 1894, the horses was replaced with electricity instead. The two Danes Richelieu and Westenholz setup the electricity company Siam Electric Company Ltd., which is the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) in Thailand today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD6ooegOTtg

The Thai/Danish company Christiani & Nielsen Siam Ltd (Today: Christiani & Nielsen Thai Plc.) was established in Thailand on the 28th February 1930 – The company built the Democracy Monument in Bangkok a well known landmark in Thailand . https://scandasia.com/1608-christiani-nielsen-a-danish-legend-lives-on-in-thailand/

From 1898 to 1907, Danes and Danish banks were on three occasions involved in occurrences which eventually led to the setup of Siam Commercial Bank (under the disguise of being a bookclub) https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1993/03/JSS_081_2e_EggersLura_DanesInSiam.pdf

The foundation of the Siam Cement Company (SCG today) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291944121_The_Foundation_of_the_Siam_Commercial_Bank_and_the_Siam_Cement_Company_Historical_Context_and_Alternative_Historiographies

King Rama V visit to Denmark - welcomed with the white elephant flag at Grenen, Skagen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEfXhrN3KkU

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Royal Danish visit to Thailand 16 January 1962 - and the official opening of the Thai-Danish Dairy Farm. 

A project that emphasizes the strong historical collaboration between Denmark and Thailand.

https://filmcentralen.dk/museum/danmark-paa-film/film/med-kongeparret-i-thailand

Today, Thailand and Denmark continue to benefit on the relationship, with citizens and companies setting up business and life in each other countries, building on the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and culture from 400 years of history.

Here’s to another 400 years