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BANGKOK
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and Netherlands-Indies. There are always a number of Norwegian and Japan- ese steamers chartered by Bangkok firms. The Thai Steam Navigation Co. provides regular connection with the coast ports. Two Japanese lines maintain direct services between Bangkok and Japan.
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The public buildings and institutions include the Royal Museum, which is situated in the Wang Na, Bangkok, and consists of two buildings-that on the left of 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 Thai ethnological collection. There are two Protestant Churches-Christ Church and St. Mary's Mission; four Roman Catholic Chur- ches; nine Hospitals (two being maintained by and for the accommodation of Europeans, with a staff of European nurses). Chulalongkorn Memorial Hos- pital, maintained by the Thai Red Cross Society, is one of the finest and best equipped hospitals in the East. The Society has also under its charge the Pasteur Institutė, first opened in 1905. St. Louis' Hospital, a spacious build- ing, was opened in 1899, the Sisters of Charity being in charge. The French Roman Catholic Mission maintains two schools for boys and two for girls. The American Presbyterian Mission, also, has a school for boys and one for girls. The State system of education is thoroughly up to date and the University comprises Faculties of Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Nursing and Midwifery. An Act was promulgated in 1921 making elementary education compulsory and free for boys and girls alike. A new University of Moral and Political Science was established in June 1934. There are three first-class hotels -the Oriental, the Rajdhani, belonging to the State Railways Department, and the Trocadero-and several smaller ones; and many clubs including-the Bri- tish Club, the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, The Silom Club and the Royal Turf Club. The King's palaces and the temples are magnificent and on a large scale; the architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country; and there is much of novelty and interest to be witnessed by the passing traveller. The roads have been greatly improved. The city throughout its principal streets, as well as all hotels and principal shops, is lighted with electricity. The last census of the population of Thailand was taken in May 23, 1937, the figures being: City of Bangkok-681,214; District of Bangkok-921,617.
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The average mean temperature at Bangkok is 82°. The hottest months are February, March, ́April and May when the highest temperature recorded in the shade averages over 100°. The lowest temperature averages 61° Fahr.
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. The largest ships can load there. A lighthouse aids vessels to make the entrance. A project for dredging the bar at the mouth of the Bangkok river is now in execution. Foundations have been laid for a completely new harbour in the river below Bangkok, and a dredger, recently brought from Holland, has begun dredging operations in the bar. It is hoped eventually to cut a channel 26 feet deep.
*hong a large shop or store.