Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 661

BANGKOK.

The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam, about thirty 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 Mahomedan residents, though the Foreign Office and the Yamen of the Prime Minister are situated on canals 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 pelace 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 fringes 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 the Peninsula, but supplies China, Manila, the Straits, and even Java and Sumatra. There is also a large and flourishing trade in teak wood and ivory, with very many other miur articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. The steamers of the Scottish Oriental Steam- ship Co. keep up regular communication with Hongkong, (occasionally leaving and returning via Swatow and the Straits Settlements), besides special boats only running during the rice season; while another line of steam rs connect the kingdom with the Straits Settlements. Of public institutions for foreign use, Bangkok can only boast an Episcopal Chapel and a Protestant Cemetery. There is also a Ladies' Li- brary, in a flourishing condition. Two Hotels are now the only buildings de oted to amusement and refreshment. The native palaces, temples, and public buildings are magnificent and on a large scale. 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 Bang- kok than can be found in Chinese cities. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 350,000.

The imports during the year 1885, as reported by the Custom House, amounted to $6,830,018 as compared with $6,247,893 in 1884, and $5,167,459 in 1883; the exports to $9,436,730 as compared with $11,194,572 in 1884, and $9,207,709 in 1883, and $9,702,778 in 1882; but the actual amount of both was probably in excess of this value. The principal imports were piece goods and opium, the principal export rice.

DIRECTORY.

H.M. Somdetch P'ra Paramindr Mahah

Chulalonkorn, the King of Siam

H.R.H. Prince Sonapandit, private secret-

ary to H.M.

ROYAL GOVERNMENT. CIVIL DEPARTMENT.

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