Pen, Paper, Compass, Map, and Sail (4): Iran (Persia)

September 3, 2025
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Travel Like The Wind : Suchart Choolee

Persia in Ayutthaya: A Confluence of Civilizations Across Time

In an age when seafaring was the only path to the wider world, humankind relied on five essential tools: a pen, paper, compass, map, and sail. With these in hand, voyagers left their native shores behind and ventured into the unknown—uncertain whether their hopes would ever find firm ground at the edge of the horizon.

Amidst wind and storm, many braved the great ocean to reach the golden lands of Suvarnabhumi. Among them were the Persians—known today as Iranians—who left behind not only goods and stories but also lasting impressions on the culture, religion, language, and commerce of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam.

Some scholars trace Persian–Siamese relations as far back as the Sukhothai period. In the First Inscription of King Ramkhamhaeng appears the word “talat pasan”, believed to be derived from the Persian word bazaar. Similarly, the Thai word “rian” (coin) may trace its roots to rial, the Persian currency.

When Sails Carried Faith and Legacy

More concrete and well-documented relations emerged during the late reign of King Naresuan the Great (1590–1605 CE) of Ayutthaya, when a merchant ship from the city of Qom, Persia, arrived at Pom Phet fortress. Leading this mission was Sheikh Ahmad Qomi, accompanied by his brother Muhammad Said.

Although they came as merchants bearing perfumes, textiles, and other trade goods, Sheikh Ahmad brought with him something far more enduring—Shia Islam, along with deep expertise in international trade and diplomacy. His talents and unwavering loyalty caught the attention of King Songtham, who appointed him as the Director of the Right Port Department, responsible for overseeing foreign trade.

He was later granted the noble title Phraya Sheikh Ahmad Rattanaratchaseth, recognizing his role in enhancing the kingdom’s maritime commerce.

Beyond Trade: A Tapestry of Cultural Influence

Persia did not merely bring fabrics and perfumes; it infused Siamese royal culture with aesthetic sophistication. Royal garments such as the Chuga cloak, the Lomphok tall hat, and curled royal slippers are all adaptations of Persian court attire—some of which still exist in Thailand’s royal regalia today.

But more than attire, they left people behind—descendants of Sheikh Ahmad became key figures in Thai history, most notably the Bunnag family, whose influence shaped the political landscape of early Rattanakosin.

The Sails Still Unfurl

The story of Sheikh Ahmad and the Persian community in Siam did not end with a death, but marked the beginning of a relationship that continues to thrive—through diplomacy, faith, culture, and bloodlines.

Even in this era of digital charts and GPS, the spirit of the pen, paper, compass, map, and sail still stirs. What remains are the traces of those brave souls who left their homelands with hope and entrusted their future to a foreign land—one that would become their new home for generations to come.