Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 628

BANGKOK.

The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam, about thirty miles from where this inagnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. On the cast 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 Mahomedan residents, though the Foreign Office and the Yamen of the Prime Minister are situated on cauals leading from it. The bulk of the business is, however, transacted on the east, Here a very fair road, the Chawen Krung, extends from the palace walls to Paklat, and a telegraph line con- nects the Light-house at the Bar beyond the mouth of the river with the business portion of the city, Bangkok is now connected, through Saigon, with the rest of the world by wire, and a line to British Burmah has since been completed. 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 watershed of the mountain crescent which finges the northern extremity of the kingdom. The out- turn of this grain in favourable years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes sup- port to the native population of Siam and t be Peninsula, but supplies China, Manila, the Straits, and even Java and Sumatra. There is also a large and flour.shing trade in teak wood and isory, with very many ther min r articles of native produce which are exported to Obina and the Straits. The steamers of the Scottish Oriental St‹ am- ship Co. keep up regular communicaton with Hongkong, (occasionally leaving and returning vid Swatow and the Straits Settlements), Lesides special boats only running during the rice season; while another line of steam rs connect the kingdom with the Straits Settlements. These sleame: a run at stated intrvals all the year round, and are only removed from the line for repairs or in case of any sudden emergener. The sail ng craft of every flag, rig, and denomination were innumerable, but are now much reduced. Of public ins iutions for fo ein use, Bangkok can only boast an Episcopal Chapel and a Pr..testant Cemetery. There is al-o à Ladies' Li- brary, in a flourishing condition. Two Hotels are now only buildings de oted to amusement and refreshment. The native palaces, temples, and public buildings are magnificent and on a large scal. The architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country, and there is more of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bong- kok in a few hours than can be found in China in many weeks. There are two newspapers published in the city, one in the English language and one in the native tongue. T first is a wekly, conduet. d by a missionary. The native journal is also a weekly, and is merely a re-print of the English journal. The population of Bangkok is estimated M 350,000.

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The imports during the year 1888, as reported by the Cust m House, amounted to $5,167,452 as compard with 87,104.381 in 18-2, and $6,279,4×4 in 1881; the exports to $9,207,709 as compared with $9,702,778 in 1882, and $9,865,956 in 1881; but the actual amount of both was probably in exces of this value. The princ.al impors were piece goods and opium, the principal export rio».

Tonnage cleared at the Custom House during 1882:-British 120,652 tons; all other nationalities, 69,786 tons; total, 190,488 tous.

DIRECTORY.

H.M. Somdetch P'ra Paramindr Mabah

Chulalonkorn, the King of Siam H.R.H. Krom Mun Devawongs Varapra

kar, private secretary to H.M. Krom Rai P'ra Bowara Rajabwong Sat'-

abn, Second King

ROYAL GOVERNMENT. CIVIL DEFAR IMENT.

Somdetch P'ra Chow Boromawongs t'es Chow-fah Mahah Mahlah Krom Pra Bamrap Parapaks, Minister of the North of the Interior