Directory_and_Chronicle_1871 — Page 55

44

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &c.

He can tell quite certainly whether his age is within the first cycle of 12, or the second, third, or fourth; but if he be upwards of 60 years old, he is liable to get bewildered in his reckoning, for the want of the habit of counting his years by the year of the Era in which he was born. This the Siamese never do.

The Siamese sacred Era is reckoned from the time it is supposed Buddh died, which was 2,400 years at the full moon in May, 1866. This reckoning is never used except in their religious matters. It is denominated Pöötá Sákkárát (Era of Buddh). Their civil Era, called Chöölá Sákkárát (little Era), is reckoned from the time when Pra Rooang, a Siamese king of great celebrity, established it, and that was 1227 full years in March, 1866. Siamese in writing their dates always show first the year of their Era; second, the day of the week; third, the day of the waxing or

waning moon; fourth, the number of the month; fifth, the names of the year; and, sixth, the particular year of the cycle of 10. Their mode of showing the day of week, day of moon, and month is very concise.

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &c.

TABLE OF SIAMESE MONEY.

4 P'eis 2 Fu'ang

make 1 Fu'ang

$0.076

1

"}

Sälü'ng

0.150

29

4 Sälü'ngs

1

Bät or Tical

0.600

"}

99

4 Bäts

1

19

Tämlü'ng

2.400

20 Tämlü'ngs

11

1 Ch'äng

48.000

"}

50 Ch'ängs

1 Hip

2,400.000

100 Hp

1 Tära

"

24,000.000

""

NOTE. The standard of weight being the coin of the country, weights are

.nated by the same terms, A Tical weights 236 grains Troy.

desig-

are

The Siamese standard of weight is just double that of the Chinese: and goods bought and sold in Bangkok more by the Chinese than the Siamese standard.

9$

LONG MEASURE.

13

1 Niw..

----inch.

16

12 Niws

make

2 K'u'ps

1 K'a'p 1 Säwk

=

""

>>

4 Säwks

1 Wah

"1

20 Wahs

1 Sën

""

""

400 Sëns

1 Yot

""

""

12

37

78 }"

130 feet.

93 statute miles.

NOTE.-Timber is bought by the Yök, which in 64 Sáwk in length, by 1 Säwk in width=36,864 Siamese inches, being equivalent to 169 square feet.

DRY MEASURE.

1 Tänan.....

20 Tänans

make

1 Tổng

1 pints. 15

25 Tänans

1 Sat

""

100 Tángs or 80 Sat

1 Keean (Coyan.)

NOTE-A Kecan is 20 Piculs. A Picul, is 133 lbs. Avoirdupois.

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