SE Asia

Spencer Low

The little-known Portuguese influence on Vietnam

When most people think of Vietnam in a historical context, the Vietnamese war and the American role come to mind, or perhaps the French...

2,304 views0 comments

Spencer Low

Thailand's oldest European connection

Each time that I go to Bangkok I like to visit the Kudeejeen neighbourhood on the west side of the Chao Phraya river. Not a well-known...

Spencer Low

The Portuguese influence in Indonesia: "kue pastel" anyone?

I had the pleasure of a quick trip to the Indonesian resort island of Bintan this weekend. At the breakfast buffet, I came across this...

Spencer Low

Malay words of Portuguese origin

Malay was the lingua franca of Southeast Asia, and after the Portuguese took control of the trading port of Malacca in 1511, many words...

2,633 views1 comment

Spencer Low

The joint Portuguese-Spanish interventions in Cambodia

The Portuguese made their appearance in Southeast Asia when they conquered Malacca on 24 August 1511. Their Iberian neighbours the...

Spencer Low

Portuguese influence on Southeast Asian cuisines

The Portuguese introduced ingredients to the Asia palate that some would consider to be fundamental today. What would Thai food be like...

Spencer Low

Thai words of Portuguese origin

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to make contact with the Kingdom of Siam more than 500 years ago in 1511. In 1518 was signed the...

Spencer Low

The Portuguese in Southeast Asia

Starting with the conquest of Malacca, the Portuguese finally found in Southeast Asia the source of the spices they were looking for.