Directory_and_Chronicle_1896

BANGKOK

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occupied by the Siamese, Chinese, and Mahomedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the right. Here a road, known as the Charurn Krung, extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem, and the electric tramway runs along it from a distance of about six miles. Various other new streets and roads have been made recently. A telegraph line connects the Lighthouse at the Bar beyond the mouth of the river with the business portion of the city. 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 innumerable 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 favourable years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes support to the native population of Siam and the Malay Peninsula, but largely contributes to the supply of China, Manila, the Straits, Java, and Sumatra; a large amount is also sent to Europe and even to South America. There is also some 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 other lines of steamers connect the kingdom with the Straits Settlements.

The public buildings and institutions include the British Church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, several Missionary Chapels both Protestant and Catholic, two Hospitals, a Ladies' Library, several Schools under Government, and Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission, liberally patronised by the King, and assisted by the community generally. There are two Hotels; also a club called the Bangkok United Club. The King's palace, the temples, and public buildings are magnificent and on a large scale. The architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country, and there is much more of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bangkok than can be found in Chinese cities. The roads have been greatly improved; tramways were introduced in 1888, and have proved financially successful. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 350,000. There are about 400 foreigners in Siam, most of whom are resident in Bangkok, and of whom 140 are British subjects. The number of Asiatic British subjects in Siam is estimated at about 30,000. The harbour and island of Koh-si-chang, which lie some 20 miles from the bar and about 50 miles from Bangkok, are places of importance. The harbour, formed by a strait of sea running between islands, offers a fine anchorage for vessels loading rice and teak during the south-west monsoon, or from April to the end of October. The largest ships can take shelter there. A lighthouse serves to enable vessels to make the

entrance.

The value of the imports during the year 1894 amounted to $17,000,000, as con- pared with $17,500,000 in 1893, and that of the exports to 824,600,000 as compared with $34,500,000 in 1893. The principal imports were piece goods, kerosine, opium, and treasure; the principal export rice, the quantity of the latter exported in 1894 being 8,155,297 piculs, of à value of $16,358,574.

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