1130
BANGKOK
German Lloyd Orient Line keep up regular communication with Hongkong (occasion- ally leaving and returning vid Swatów 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 Nippon Yusen Kaisha has also established a line between Bangkok, Hongkong and Swatow.
The public buildings and institutions include the Royal Museum, which is situated in the Wang Nah, Bangkok, and consists of two buildings; that on the left to the approach contains the natural history collections and ethnological exhibits from Japan, China, Java, etc., that on the right (formerly a royal building) contains the Siamese ethnological collection. There are also the Protestant (Christ) Church, a new building, opened in April 1905, four Roman Catholic Churches, eight Hospitals (two being maintained by and for the accommdation of Europeans, with a staff of European nurses), a Ladies' Library, and Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission. St. Louis' Hospital, a large and spacious building, situated near the German Legation, was opened in 1899, the Sisters of Charity being in charge. There is one first-class Hotel, the Oriental, and several smaller ones, also four clubs-the Bangkok United Club, the British Club, the Dvi Pannya Club (for Siamese, founded by the Crown Prince) and the German Club. The King's palace and the temples 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. The tramway was introduced in 1888, and has proved financially successful, there being now two lines, both driven by electricity. The city throughout its principal streets as well as all hotels and principal shops are lighted with electricity, incandescent lights being universally in use. The population of Bangkok is estimated at about 400,000. There are over 1,000 foreigners in Siam, most of whom are resident in Bangkok. The number of Asiatic British subjects in Siam is estimated at about 7,000. 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 (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 following are the latest trade figures, the year ending 31st March-
1904.
Imports Exports
Total....
Ticals 78,306,687
.101,386,456
.179,693,143
1905.
Imports Exports
Total...
Ticals
68,769,329 103,130,699
171,900,028
In 1905, of a total steam tonnage cleared inwards at Bangkok of 670,109, there was a German tonnage of 385,003, the Norwegian was 121,576 and the British 112,242. As to labour, the Chinese coolies continue tobe masters of the port, and the position in regard to them grows worse, for the supply is insufficient, and they can impose what terms they please. Bangkok itself is improving greatly, new roads having been opened and shops and houses are being built. A great and much-needed reform is the abolition of gambling houses, the whole of which, in the interior, have now been closed. In 1907, it is hoped that all gambling houses in Siam, including Bangkok, will be suppressed.
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