Directory_and_Chronicle_1889 — Page 703

BANGKOK.

The town 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 is the city proper enclosed by a wall, the Royal palaces, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, the principal rice mills, and most of the Public Offices. The left is principally occupied by the Siamese, Chinese, and Mahomedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the east. Here a road, not in all places passable for wheeled vehicles in the wet season, the Charurn Krung, extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem, and a telegraph line connects 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 Lower 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 minor 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 steamers connects the kingdom with the Straits Settlements.

The public buildings and institutions include the British Consular Church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, several Missionary Chapels both Protestant and Catholic, one Hospital extant and another projected, a Ladies' Library, several Schools under Government, Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission, liberally patronised by the King, and assisted by the community generally. There are two Hotels, one a new one on a handsome scale; also a club called the Bangkok United Club. The King's palace, 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 Bangkok than can be found in Chinese cities. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 350,000.

The imports during the year 1887, as reported by the Custom House, amounted to $9,946,249 as compared with $7,384,718 in 1886, and $6,830,018 in 1885; the exports to $15,593,410 as compared with $10,372,818 in 1886 and $9,436,730 in 1885; 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, King of Sjam H.R.H. Krom Mun Samet Amabandhu, private secretary to H.M. for the Siamese Branch

H.R.H. Prince Sonapaudit, private secret- ary to H.M. for the Foreign branch (absent)

ROYAL GOVERNMENT.

CIVIL DEPARTMENT.

Chow Phya Ratana Patindr, Minister of

the North of the Interior

WAR DEPARTMENT. Chow Phya Bolathape, acting Minister of

War