BANGKOK.
The town of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam, about thirty miles from where this magnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. On the east bank of the river is the city proper enclosed by a wall, the Royal palaces, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, the principal rice mills, and most of the Public Offices. The left is principally occupied by the Siamese, Chinese, and Mahomedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the east. Here a road, not in all places passable for wheeled vehicles in the wet season, the Charurn Krung, extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem, and a telegraph line connects the Light- house at the Bar beyond the mouth of the river with the business portion of the city. Bangkok is connected, through Saigon, with the rest of the world by wire, and a line to Lower Burmah has since been completed. The principal trade of Bangkok, and the foundation on which not only its prosperity but its actual existence mainly rests, is rice. This article is drawn in immense quantities, not only from the innu- merable fields which line the fertile valley of the Menam, but from the adjacent rivers which flow into the Gulf from the enormous watershed of the mountain crescent which fringes the northern extremity of the kingdom. The outturn of this grain in favour- able years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes support to the native population of Siam and the Malay Peninsula, but supplies China, Manila, the Straits, and even Java and Sumatra. There is also a large and flourishing trade in teak wood and ivory, with very many other minor articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. The steamers of the Scottish Oriental Steamship Co. keep up regular communication with Hongkong, (occasionally leaving and returning via Swatow and the Straits Settlements), besides special boats only running during the rice season; while another line of steamers connects the kingdom with the Straits Settlements.
The public buildings and institutions include the British Consular Church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, several Missionary Chapels both Protestant and Catholic, two Hospitals, a Ladies' Library, several Schools under Government, Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission, liberally patronised by the King, and assisted by the community generally. There are two Hotels, one a new one on a handsome scale; also a club called the Bangkok United Club. The King's palace, temples, and public buildings are magnificent and on a large scale. architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country, and there is more of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bangkok than can be found in Chinese cities. Tramways were introduced in 1888, and have proved financially successful. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 350,000.
The
The imports during the year 1888, as reported by the Custom House, amounted to $10,872,016 as compared with $9,946,249 in 1887; the exports to $16,342,020 as compared with $15,593,410 in 1887; but the actual amount of both was probably in excess of this value. The principal imports were piece goods and opium, the principal export rice.
DIRECTORY.
H.M. Somdetch P'ra Paramindr Mahah
Chulalonkorn, King of Siam
ROYAL GOVERNMENT. CIVIL DEPARTMENT.
Chow Phya Ratana Patindr, Minister of
the North of the Interior
WAR DEPARTMENT.
..
Chow Phya Bolathape, Minister of War
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. (Krom Tah Klaong.)
H.R.H. Kron Hlaung Devawongse Varo- prakar, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Chow Prayah Parnuwongs Maha
Kosih Tibati
Prayah Pipat Kosab, sec. to minister Prayah Raja Nuprapan
Prayah Akarajä Pakdi (absent) ·