Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 627

|

SIAM.

The

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 bounded on the west by Burmah and the Bay of Bengal, and on the east by the Lai Mountains. 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 Balong, containing enormous deposits of tin ore, is included in the territories of Biam. 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 outskirts 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 Annamesė on the east, and the Malays and Burmese on the south and east. 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 des- truction of that city by the victorious Burmese general and the consequent exodus of the conquered. They moved down the river about 60 miles and there founded the present pop lous 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 Piya Tak. In 1782 the reins of empire were seized by one of his most distinguished generale 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 revenue of Siam is very large, and if properly collected would be enormious, but the inertness of the nobility and the frauds practised with the utmost boldness and impunity, have very seriously impaired it. Of the Customs revenue probably not one-eighth of the legí- timate amount is ever collected. The general revenue is farmed out to Chinese, and a triennial tax is also imposed upon all foreigners unrepresented by a Consul, such aa Chinese, Annamese, &c.

The army. in time of prace, is small, and is made up of the following. 1st.— The Royal Body Guard, which consists of one squadron of cavalry, two battalions of infantry, and one company of artificers and sappers. This body of troops is re- oruited from the sons of noblemen descended from the blood royal. 2nd.-The Palace Guard, which is composed of two battalions of infantry, 3rd. The Royal Elephant Troops. 4th. The Royal Infautry, consisting of three battalions of four companies each. To this corps is attached a squadron of cavalry and a brigade of artillery. This branch is open to the sons of slaves, who gain their freedom after their term of five years' active service. 5th. The Royal Marines, numbering about 400, who serve on board the Royal yachts and gunboats.

The native population of Siam, with Laos, Tavoyams, Peguans, and Burmese, excluding those under Consular protection, is variously estimated at from six to ten millions. The number of Chinese in the kingdom is believed to be not less than one million three hundred thousand.