Bangkok, Thailand – June 16, 2025 — The Dutch community in Thailand is voicing strong opposition to a proposed plan by the Dutch government to sell its historic embassy in Bangkok. Located on the prime Wireless Road, the embassy faces possible redevelopment under a broader cost-cutting initiative led by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The potential sale, first reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, has alarmed the Dutch Association in Thailand. Willem Pentermann, chairman of the association, said he learned of the plan through media reports and has since sought clarification and action. The embassy compound, a high-value site estimated to be worth between €450 million and €500 million (roughly 17 to 20 billion Thai baht), could be sold to local developers if the plan proceeds.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp has confirmed that the ministry is considering the sale as part of budget reduction measures and emphasized the need for transparency. However, no official comments have been provided by the Dutch Ambassador to Thailand, Remco van Wijngaarden. A spokesperson for the embassy, Wiet Brikkenaar van Dijk, declined to comment but assured updates would follow.
In response, the Dutch Association has sent a formal letter to Minister Veldkamp, urging a reconsideration of the sale and requesting a detailed financial analysis of the plan, including relocation costs. The group has also appealed to other government leaders and King Willem-Alexander.
One of the association’s primary concerns is the potential loss of a culturally significant building. Pentermann cited the example of the British government’s past embassy sale, which resulted in the demolition of heritage structures. He warned against the possibility of contractual clauses that might allow or even require demolition before the transfer of ownership.
The issue has garnered attention in multiple Dutch media outlets, underscoring public sentiment among the Dutch community abroad. Monique Kleinnibbelink, a Dutch resident in Bangkok, noted the emotional connection to the embassy, referencing celebrations like King’s Day that have historically taken place there.
Diplomatic ties between Thailand and the Netherlands date back over four centuries. The sale of the Bangkok embassy not only risks severing a physical symbol of that longstanding relationship, but also raises broader questions about the future of cultural diplomacy and historical preservation.
