Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 812

SIAM.

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. 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 Burmah in a southerly line to the boundary between Perak and Quedah in the Malayan Pen nsula iu the latitude of 5 deg. south. The island of Junck Saloug, 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 Tringanu 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 Battam- bang, 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 Annamites 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 vietorious Burinese general and the consequent exodus of the cʊn- quered. 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 willed city at Toutaboree, d- clared himself King under the title P'ya Tak. In 1782 the reins of empire were seized by one of his most distingu shed 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 revenue of Siam is very large, and if properly collected would be enormous, but the inertness of the nobility and the frauds practised with the utmost boldness and impunity, have very seriously impaired it. The general revenue is farmed out to Chinese, and a triennial tax is also imposed upon all foreigners unrepresented by a Consul, such as Chinese, Annamites, &c. Siam entered the Universal Postal Union on the 1st July, 1885.

1st.-

The army in time of peace is small, and is made up of the following. The Royal Body Guard, which consists of one squadron of cavalry, two la talions of infantry, and one company of artificers and sappers. This body of troops is re- cruited 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 Infantry, 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, Tavoyans, Peguans, &c., excluding. those under Consular protection, is variously estimated at from six to ten millious, The number of Chinese in the kingdom is estimated at about 1,300,000.