Duarte Fernandes (16th century) Portuguese diplomat, was the first European to establish diplomatic relations with Thailand in 1511, under the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque, Portuguese Viceroy of India. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... This article is about the continent. ... Events Diego Velázquez and Hernán Cortés conquer Cuba; Velázquez appointed Governor. ... Afonso de Albuquerque Afonso de Albuquerque, Afonso dAlbuquerque or Alfonso de Albuquerque (1453 _ December 16, 1515) was a noted Portuguese naval general whose activities helped establish the Portuguese colonial empire in India. ... A viceroy is somebody who governs a country or province as a substitute for the monarch. ...