SIAM-BANGKOK
1259
the 26th March, 1897. Another section, to Gengkoi, was opened on November 1st, 1897, a third, to Hinlap, on April 1st, 1898, and the whole line was opened to traffic in November, 1900.
The construction of a line branching off the Korat line near Ayuthia and intended to open up the country to Chiengmai was commenced in June, 1898, and the first section (42 kilometres) to Lopburi was opened to traffic on 1st April, 1901. The next section, Lopburi-Paknampo (118 km.), was opened to traffic in November, 1905, and the section to Pitsanulok in 1907. The line running south-west to Petchaburi, vid Ratburi, 152 km. long, was opened to traffic in the early part of 1903. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Patriew was completed in 1908. A further section of the North Line, to Bundaria, was opened in November, 1908, and a section to Utaradit and Pang Ton Phung, with a branch line to Sawanhaloh, at the end of 1909. The total length of State railways open to traffic is 926 km. The private railway companies comprise the Paknam, Meklong and Phrabad Companies. These lines have together a total length of 106 km. Surveys have been carried on between Utaradit and Nakawn Lampang in connection with the Northern State railway, but further extension to the north has been postponed for the present. Work on the Southern line down the Peninsula was begun in 1909. A fleet of steam launches runs from the metropolis in all directions up- country to the east and west.
The sea borne trade of the country in recent years has been between ten and eleven million pounds sterling. The principal export is rice, constituting about 75 per cent. of the total. Teak comes next with about 12 per cent.
The Army is small, but in recent years great progress has been achieved in military matters. The land forces of the Kingdom are divided into ten divisions. The First, the division of the Guards, is stationed in Bangkok. Each division consists of two Regi- ments of Infantry, one of either Cavalry or Chasseurs, one Regiment of Artillery, one Company of Engineers, one Company of Transport, and one Ambulance Company. A form of conscription is in force in the divisions referred to.
The Royal Military College in Bangkok has been one of the principal factors in the improvements effected, and young officers trained in this institution are also in great demand for the work of the civil administration of the interior. The Navy is small but efficient, and additions are constantly being made to its strength.
The native population of Siam, with Laos, Cambodians, Peguans, &c., excluding those under Consular protection, is estimated at seven millions at least. The number of Chinese in the kingdom is estimated at about half a million.
BANGKOK
On
The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam about twenty- five miles from where this magnificent strean empties itself into the Gulf. the left bank of the river is the city proper, enclosed partly by a wall. The Royal palaces and Government Offices are within the wall, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, and the principal rice mills being on the principal or main street of the city. The right bank is principally occupied by the Siamese, Chinese and Mahomedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the left. Here a road, called New Road-in Siamese, Charurn Krung-extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem and the electric tramway runs along it for a distance of about six miles. Another electric tramway to Samsen has a length of four miles. Both these are the property of the Siam Electricity Co., Ltd. The lines of the new Siamese Tramway Co., Ltd., opened in 1906, traverse the city and its environs in various directions, the total length being about twelve miles. Various new streets and roads have been made recently, and Bangkok has now over 100 miles of carriage roads. 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 mens 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