CO129-479 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [1-3] — Page 29

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YTHES

UZ MPEMAL HHT

MEMORANDUM

ON

OPIUM IN SIAM.

GUDA GAT 12

РИОЗ ЛАТИНІЯО

231T31302 220-90 03Я

Piazza M

MART MI LUNO

TANG

VAT

20

1.

HISTORY AND GENERAL OUTLINE.

The use of opium in Siam is first heard of in the reign of Rama III. who early realised the evils of the drug, and made great efforts to suppress its use in the country. On one occasion, at least, a large amount was collected and

publicly burnt at the Monastery of Badaana in Bangkok. There is no doubt

that Opium was brought into the kingdom by Chinese traders, and with the

growth of intercourse between the two countries more and more came to be

imported. The machinery of Government being then still somewhat primitive,

the efforts at the prohibition of the drug met with no success, and its sale had,

therefore, Perforce to be allowed, but as a Government monopoly. 1941

2 This monopoly was found to yield a handsome revenue to the State, and for a long period was exploited solely for that purpose. The method em- ployed was the so-called "farming" system. That is to say, the privilege of of preparing and retailing the drug was granted to the person, or syndicate of persons, style the "Opium Farm," who offered the highest sum to the Govern- ment. The "Opium Ferm" was put up to auction at regular intervals, and the

amount received from the successful bidder formed the revenue under the head "Opium".

3. The control of the Government over the quantity sold was effected

by making it a condition that the Farmer had to purchase his raw opium from the Government, which imported Indian opium for the purpose. The price at which the prepared drug should be sold to the consumer was also fixed by the Government.

4. The control exercised by the State was, however, not a close one, and the Farmer had a free hand to appoint his own inspectors and retailers wherever he thought best for his interests, without any restriction. Moreover,

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