Ayutthaya the ancient capital of Thailand was one of the most important cities. Its location halfway between China, India and Malaysia turned a perfect enclave for trade in Ayutthaya. European, Japanese and Chinese ships used Ayutthaya as port to trade wood, teak, ivory, furs, silk and all sorts of crafts. Many of these merchants claimed that Ayutthaya was the most splendid city that had never seen, even came to be known to Ayutthaya with the nickname of The Venice of the East.