Directory_and_Chronicle_1903 — Page 1077

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BANGKOK

approach contains the natural history collections and ethnological exhibits from Japan, China, Java, etc., that on the right (formerly a royal building) contains the Siamese ethnological collection. There are also the Protestant Church, four Roman Catholic Churches, two Hospitals, a Ladies' Library, and Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission. St. Louis' Hospital, a large ani spacious building, situated near the German Legation, was opened in 1899, the Sisters of Charity being in charge. There is one first-class Hotel, the Oriental,_arı! several smaller ones, also two clubs the Bangkok United Club and the German Clul The King's palace and the temples are magnificent and on a large scale; the architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country; and there is much more f novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bangkok than can i- found in Chinese cities. The roads have been greatly improved. The tramway was introduced in 1888, and has proved financially successful, there being now two lines both driven by electricity. The city throughout its principal streets as well as al hotels and principal shops are lighted with electricity, incandescent lights being universally in use. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 400,000. There are over 1,000 foreigners in Siam, most of whom are resident in Bangkok. The number of Asiatic British subjects in Siam is estimated at about 7,000.

The harbour and island of Koh-si-chang, which lie some 20 miles from the bar and about 50 miles from Bangkok, are places of importance. The harbour, formed by a strait of sea running between islands, offers a fine anchorage for vessels loading rie and teak during the south-west monsoon (from April to the end of October.) The largest ships can take shelter there. A lighthouse serves to enable vessels to make the

entrance.

The British Consular Report issued in 19′ 2 states that the trade of the port for the past year shows a very considerable increase in the foreign seaborne trade of Siam. The exports last year amounted to £4,366,967, against a little over £3,000,000 the previous year, while the imports were over 21, against 24 millions. The great increas in exports took place almost wholly in rice, which amounted to nearly 34 millions last year, against less than 2 millions in 1900. The increase was all the greater, as the average value of the dollar was lower last year than in the previous one. The total value of the trade was £7,172,353, the highest yet recorded. The year was an excellent one for the important local industry of rice milling; but a combination of German rice millers has had the effect of placing the European trade for Hamburg and Bremen almost entirely in the hands of local German millers, so that British firms cannot even enter into competition. But there was plenty of business for them in the Easter: markets, the demand from Singapore and Hongkong being very good. Complaints are made that the quality of grain is deteriorating, on account of want of care in selecting the seed, and carelessness in cleaning the rice as well as in protecting it from exposure to sun and rain. Much of this is doubtless due to that scarcity of labou which hampers the trade of Siam in many directions. The value of the teak export- was £240,864, and the quantity 43,735 tons, being less in both cases than in the previous year. Over 20,000 tons went to India, where the purchases of teak are increasing amually on account of the demands of the railways and builders. The effect of the new forest regulations on this branch of trade is doubtful. Both in the forests and in Bangkok it is mainly in British hands, and the small trader has been almost eliminated, as teak requires large capital. As regards imports, cotton goods form more than a fifth of the whole, and metals and machinery about a tenth. Under this latter head imports from Germany show a very large increase, because the railway depart- ment is under German control and German productions are favoured for the railways. Eighty-eight per cent. of the total German imports under this head was railway material for the Siamese Government. The manner in which tenders for this material are called for is the subject of some criticism, and it is hoped more time will be allowed in future for foreign firms to compete, In one instance in which there was neither sufficient time nor were sufficient details given to the foreign representatives in Bangkok for the information of their countrymen 19 firms tendered, of which 16 wen German and none British. It is difficult to say definitely what is the proportion of trade absorbed by each country trading with Siam, for the bulk of the exports and imports is shipped to or from Hongkong and Singapore, these being in most cases only ports of transhipment. An attempt, however, was made by the Siamese Customs last year to ascertain this, with the following approximate results for imports :--The United Kingdom, 3275 per cent.; Hongkong, 225; India, 132; Germany, 105 ; and others in smaller proportions. German shipping now predominates in the port Bangkok. Out of å total clearing of 542,802 tons last ye 287,442 tons were under the

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