Japanese
village (หมู่บ้านญี่ปุ่น)
Memorial Site of the Old Japanese Settlement
in Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya was the capital of the
Kingdom of Thailand for
417 years from B.E.1893 (A.D.1350) to B.E.2310 (A.D.1767).
During this period, in the second half of the 16th Century,
foreigners began to come to the Kingdom and gradually in
number. These foreigners were traders, missioneries, and
some were engaged as volunteer guards of the King. Japanese
trade aboard was also boosted when the Japanese Authorities
granted official permission to travel for trading purposes by
issuing the "Shuin" (Red Seal). Along with the official ships
bearing the seal, unauthorized ships also sailed to South East
Asia with many Japanese. Among the travellers were those
who came to Ayutthaya. The King granted permission to the
Japanese, as well as other nationalities, to settle. At that
time there were 800 to 3,000 Japanese reported to be living in
Ayutthaya.
