B264
THAILAND
The first railway line, from Bangkok to Paknam, was opened by the King on the 11th, April, 1893. Another railway, a Government line via Ayuthia to Korat, was the first important line completed. The first section, from Bangkok to Ayuthia, a distance of about 50 miles, was opened on 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, the section to Pitsanulok in 1907, and the last section to Chiengmai on January 1st, 1922. The line running south-west to Petchaburi, via Ratburi, 152 km. long, was opened to traffic in the early part of 1903. In 1909 the construction of this Southern line was continued from Petchaburi, and has now been completed to the Kedah frontier at Padang Besar and to the Kelantan frontier at Sungei Golok. A through rail service between Bangkok and Penang was opened on July 1st, 1918, and the journey only takes 26 hours. A bi-weekly International express runs regularly from Bangkok-Penang and Penang- Bangkok. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Petriew was completed in 1908. It has now been continued to Aranya Prades near the Cambodian frontier. The Korat line has been continued to Übon. A further section of the North line, to Ban Dara, was opened in November, 1908, and a section to Utaradit and Pang Ton Phung, with a branch line to Sawankalok, at the end of 1909. By November, 1913, the line was open to traffic as far as Pak Tha, and the survey of the route to Chiengmai had made good progress. The war delayed the completion of the Northern line, but through traffic was opened to Chiengmai towards the end of 1921. The total length of State railways open to traffic on March 31st, 1935, was 3,100 kms. A line from Kon Kaen to Udorn is at present under construction. The private railway companies comprise the Meklong and Phrabad Companies. A fleet of steam and motor launches runs from the metropolis in all directions up-country. The railway from Bangkok to Paknam is now controlled by the State.
The total value of all imports and exports for the years 1934-38 inclusive are as follows:
1934-35
(Ticals)
Imports 101,726,721
1935-36
""
108,754,047
1936-37
>>
110,081,655
1937.38
""
111,824,481
PRINCIPAL Exports
1934-35
Rice
(Ticals)
98,437,397
Tin
""
26,346,610
Teak
""
Rubber
""
4,588,808 9,305,834
(Ticals)
Exports 172,594,870
"}
158,218,323
""
184,886,676 169,492,804
1935-36
90,835,622
1936-37 96,717,972
. 1937-38
75,842,512
23,375,205
29,809,389
32,588,223
5,052,217
8,406,755
9,112,126
13,218,945 23,465,400 22,669,404 Information regarding the Armed Forces of Thailand is not published, but they are expending, and additions to the Royal Thai Navy are constantly being made.
The last census was taken on May 23, 1937, when the total population of Thailand was found to be 14,464,489, as compared with 11,506,207 in 1929, when the previous census was taken. Detailed particulars of the subdivision by race of the population are not yet available.
On June 24, 1932 a successful coup d'état took place in Bangkok, the result of which was the acceptance by the King of a form of constitutional government. Dissatisfaction with the policy of the new Ministers led to a second and equally bloodless coup détat on June 20, 1933, headed by Colonel Phya Bahol, who held the position of Premier until he was succeeded by Colonel, now Major-General Luang Pibul Songgram, the Prime Minister of Defence at the end of 1938. In October of the same year, an armed revolt organised by reactionary elements was suppressed by the government. The Constitution provides that the King is the Head of the State; he exercises legislative power by and with the advice and consent of the People's Assembly, executive power through the State Council, (which corresponds to a Cabinet), and judical power through the Courts duly established by law.
On March 2, 1935, King Prajadhipok abdicated, and H.M. Ananda Mahidol was proclaimed King, a Council of Regency being appointed to act during the King's minority.