Directory_and_Chronicle_1900 — Page 915

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 Mekong. Formerly the Lai Mountains were claimed as the eastern boundary, but in 1893 the French pressed the claims of Annam to the territory between the mountains and the river, and the Siamese were compelled to retire. 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 Peninsula in the latitude of 5 deg. south. The island of Junck Salong, 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 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 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 victorious Burinese general and the consequent exodus of the conquered. 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 walled city at Toutaboree, declared himself King under the title Pya Tak. In 1782 the reins of empire were seized by one of his most distinguished 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 estimated at about $17,000,000. The finances of the country have recently been undergoing reorganisation, for which purpose a European financial adviser was engaged in 1896. At that time the revenue accounted for was only about $10,000,000 but the amount has since steadily increased. A proposal to adopt the gold standard was nooted in 1899. A triennial tax is imposed upon all foreigners unrepresented by a Consul, such as Chinese. Siam entered the Universal Postal Union on the 1st July, 1885. The first railway line, from Bangkok to Paknani, was opened by the King on the 11th April, 1893. It is a purely passenger line, having been unable to get any goods traffic worth mentioning, and the dividend averages about four to five per cent. Another railway, a Government line, via Ayuthia to Korat, is in course of construction, and the first section, from Bangkok to Ayuthia, a distance of about fifty miles, was opened by the King and Queen on the 26th March, 1897. Another section, to Genghoi, was opened on November 1st, 1897, and a third, to Hiulap, on April 1st, 1898, and it is expected that the line will reach Korat itself early in 1900. When completed the main line and the connecting lines are expected to cover a distance of over 650 miles.

The con- struction of a line branching off the Korat line near Ayuthia and intended to open up the country in the direction of Chiengmai was commenced in June, 1898. A fleet of steam-launches runs from the metropolis in all directions up-country, to the cast and

west.

The army in time of peace is small, and is made up of the following: Ist.-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 recruited 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.-- Royal Infantry, consisting of three battalions of four companies each. To this corps is attached a squadron of cavalry and a brigade of artillery. 5th.-The Royal Marines, numbering about 3,000, 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 seven to nine millions. The uumber of Chinese in the kingdom is estimated at about 2,500,000.