BANGKOK
1159
German Lloyd Orient Line keep up regular communication with Hongkong (occasion- ally leaving and returning vid 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 Nippon Yusen Kaisha also established a line between Bangkok, Hongkong and Swatow, and a rate war between the two companies existed until January 1908, when the Japanese line withdrew on terins satisfactory to both parties.
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 etlinological 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 accommodation 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 average mean temperature at Bangkok in 1906 was 8467. The hottest months were April and May when the highest temperature in the shade recorded was 106° and the lowest 72° Fah.
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—
1905.
Imports. Exports....
Total
Ticals
68,769,329
103,130,699
171,900,028
Imports. Exports..
Total ..
1906.
Ticals
76,004.954
110,600,852
.186,605,836
The increase is more marked if expressed in sterling, the imports exhibiting an increase of £873,214, and the exports an increase of £1,093,041. The average rate of exchange in 1905 was 1s 1, while in 1906 the tical reached the high average exchange of 18. 3'368d.
In 1906, of a total steam tonnage cleared inwards at Bangkok of 731,988, there was a German tonnage of 418,431, the Norwegian was 158,052 and the British 110,899. As to labour, the Chinese coolies continue to be 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. Gambling has been abolished, and a new system of assessing land has been instituted with provides a substitute for the revenue hitherto derived! from the gambling farm; but it is feared that this measure will ultimately affect the cultivation of paddy.
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