Report Dutch Embassy Sale Sparks Debate in Bangkok

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Dutch Embassy Bangkok. File photo.

 

The Dutch Association in Thailand is taking action against a plan to sell the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok. The embassy, located on the prestigious 206 Wireless Road, faces potential sale to local developers as part of a Dutch government cost-cutting initiative. Willem Pentermann, chairman of the association, discovered the plan from De Telegraaf, a Dutch newspaper.

 

Negotiations are reportedly in progress concerning the sale of the embassy's property, which is owned by the Dutch government and managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "This is part of a broader government effort to reduce costs, and the Ministry's budget will see significant cuts," expressed Pentermann. The decision to assess the sale of the Bangkok embassy was confirmed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp, stating that transparency is paramount.

 

Attempts to obtain comments from Remco van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Thailand, were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the embassy's communications officer, Wiet Brikkenaar van Dijk, declined to comment but promised future updates. In response, the Dutch Association has addressed a letter to Minister Veldkamp, pleading for a reassessment of the potential sale and has shared it with Dutch government leaders and the Treasury Department. The association has also reached out to King Willem-Alexander for support.

 

Pentermann highlighted that a request has been lodged with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a detailed financial evaluation of the sale. This assessment is crucial for understanding the costs associated with setting up a new diplomatic office and residence in Thailand. Pentermann also met Joop Nijsen, director of the Real Estate Department, to discuss these matters.

 

Alarmed by past mistakes, such as the British government's embassy sale that led to the demolition of historic structures, Pentermann expressed worry over possible terms permitting the demolition of the heritage building. The association fears a clause could be inserted in the contract mandating the removal of the historic building prior to its transfer to developers.

 

Pentermann's views have been echoed in articles published by De Telegraaf and other Dutch media, emphasising the importance of this high-stakes transaction with an estimated value between €450 and €500 million (approximately 17,000,000,000 THB to 20,000,000,000 THB). Monique Kleinnibbelink, a Dutch resident in Bangkok, highlighted the emotional ties to the embassy, recalling events such as King's Day celebrations held there.

 

The embassy's potential sale underlines a significant chapter in Thai-Dutch relations, which began over 420 years ago when the Dutch first explored trade with Thailand. The planned sale of this historic site has a wide-reaching impact on these longstanding relations, calling into question the preservation of cultural and historical ties.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-16

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

What a shame.

Forgetting history and culture for a few silverlings.

500 million Euro enough for budget spending of about 8 hours. Budget almost 500 billion.

 

Make way for another mega mall or crazy priced luxury condo tower?

[FlorC]

They are right to sell it and cut costs.

Other small and unimportant countries have much smaller embassy offices.

[Emdog]

lovely building... can some other use be found for it rather than tear down and put up rabbit warrens?