Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 459

BANGKOK.

The kingdom of Siam, of which Bangkok is the capital, extends from the latitude of about 23 deg. north to the Gulf called after itself. It is bound d on the west by Burmah and the Bay of Bengal, and on the east by the Lai Mountains. The kingdom proper lies in the valley of the Menam, the country of the true Siamese. The boundaries of Siam on the Bay of Bengal reach from the possessions of Great Britain in Burmah in a southerly line to the boundary between Perak and Quedah in the Malayan Peninsula in the latitude of 5 deg. south. The Island of Junck Salong, containing enormous deposits of tin ore, is included in the territories of Siam. The boundary line runs nearly east from Perak across the Peninsula in about the same latitude between the Provinces of Tringano and Pahang to the China Sea, thence north to the head of the Gulf of Siam. The kingdom also comprises the greater part of the ancient domain of Lao and the rich and valuable possession of Battambang, once a part of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The various dependencies and out-skirts are peopled by a variety of races, some sui generis, others illustrating every form and shade of the transition between the original race and the Annamese on the East, and the Malays and Burmese on the South and West. The former capital of Siam was Ayuthia, situated on the Menam river (literally the "Mother of Waters"), about 90 miles from its mouth. In 1767 a series of bloody and desperate combats between the Siamese and the Burmese culminated in the capture and destruction of that city by the victorious Burman General and the consequent exodus of the conquered. They moved down the river about 60 miles and there founded the present populous and flourishing city of Bangkok. The Chief of the Siamese Army rallied the scattered troops and, building a walled city at Toutaboree, declared himself King under the title of P'ya Tük. In 1782 the reins of empire were seized by one of his most distinguished generals named Yaut Fa, who founded the present dynasty, of which His Majesty the present King [the 40th reigning monarch in Siam of whom we have any record] is the fifth in regular descent. The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam, about 30 miles from where this magnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. On the east bank of the river are the palaces of the two Kings, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, the principal rice mills, and most of the Public Offices. The left is principally occupied by the Chinese and Mahomedam residents, though the Fore gn Office and the Yamens of the Prime Minister and his father, the ex-Regent, are situated on canals leading from it. The bulk of the busine-s is, however, transacted on the east side. Here a very fair road extends from the palace walls to Paklat, at the mouth of the river, and telegraph lines connect the shipping at the bar 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 immense 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 water shed of the mountain crescent which fringes the northern extremity of the kingdom. The outturn of this grain in favourable years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes support to the native population of Siam and the Peninsula, but supplies China, Manila, the Straits, and even Java and Sumatra. There is also a large and flourishing trade in teak wood, with very many other minor articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. There are two regular lines of steamers to Hongkong, one German and one English, besides special boats only running during the rice season, and two connecting the kingdom with the Straits Settlements; one of these is Siamese, the other British. These steamers run at stated intervals all the year round, and are only removed from the line for repairs or in case of sudden emergency. The sailing craft of every flag, rig, and denomination are innumerable. Of public