Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Glossary -- Maps -- Introduction -- Previous Studies -- The Topic -- The Observer: The Dutch East India Company, 1602-1796 -- The Observed: The Court of Ayutthaya, c. 1600-1767 -- Source Material and Structure of the Study -- Chapter One: The Company and the Court -- Introduction -- Trade Partners -- Political Allies -- Diplomatic Counterparts -- Conclusion -- Chapter Two: The Company Men and Settlement in Siam -- Introduction -- Dutch Attitudes to Siamese Law -- Extraterritoriality: The VOC Men and Siamese Jurisdiction -- Order and Protection: The VOC Settlement in Siam -- Conflicts -- Conclusion -- Chapter Three: Learning the Language of Ritual: the Dutch at the Court of King Prasatthong -- Introduction -- Dutch-Siamese Diplomatic Exchange -- Two Hours of Honour: The Dutch Embassy, 1628 -- Two Exhausting Hours: De Roij's Embassy, 1633 -- The Beginning of the Troubles: Schouten's Embassy, 1636 -- The Benefit of an Unaccomplished Mission: Van Vliet's Embassy, 1641 -- Siam's Asian Diplomacy: Dutch Observations -- Siam's European Diplomacy: The Dutch and the Portuguese in 1639 -- Dutch Participation in Siamese Court Ceremonies -- Conclusion -- Chapter Four: Learning Siam's Politics: The Case of King Prasatthong -- Introduction -- Theorizing Absolute Rule -- Contest from Within: The Conflicts of Succession -- Challenge from Outside: Vassal Rebellions -- Daily Manipulation: The King's Men -- Conclusion -- Chapter Five: Observing King Narai's Widening World -- Introduction -- The VOC and the Conflicts of Succession of 1656 -- The Dutch and King Narai's Officials -- Novelties at Court: The French and Constantine Phaulkon -- King Narai's Diplomacy -- The Material World of King Narai -- King Narai's Intellectual World -- Conclusion -- Chapter Six: Redefining the Relationships: The Dutch and the Court of King Phetracha.

Introduction -- The Palace Revolution of 1688 -- A 'Mutual Disappointment' -- The 'Talapoin' Rebellion of 1689 -- Manipulating the King: Court Members in Dutch Views -- The Purge of 1699 -- The Change of the Reign, 1703 -- Another Fraught Relationship: The VOC and King Süa -- Conclusion -- Chapter Seven: Remain or Leave?: The Dutch and the Eighteenth-Century Siamese Court -- Introduction -- Diplomat or Despot?: Dutch Evaluations of King Borommakot -- The VOC and the Eighteenth-Century Siamese Officials -- The VOC as a Cultural Broker between Siam and Kandy -- Eighteenth-Century Court Politics -- The VOC, Kandy, and Siam: The Prince Thepphiphit Episode, 1760-1762 -- The Last Decisions of the Dutch -- Conclusion -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Appendices -- Bibliography -- Index.