Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1263

BANGKOK

1071

Gorman Lloyd Orient Line keep up regular communication with Hongkong (occasion- ally leaving and returning vid Swatow and the Straits Settlements), besides special boats only running during the rice season; while other lines of steamers connect the kingdom with the Straits Settlements.

The public buildings and institutions include the Royal Museum, which is situated in the Wang Nah, Bangkok, and consists of two buildings; that on the left to the 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 (Christ) Church, a new building, opened in April of last year, four Roman Catholic Churches, eight Hospitals (two being maintained by and for the accommdation of Europeans, with a staff of European nurses), a Ladies' Library, and Assumption College, managed by the French Roman Catholic Mission. St. Louis' Hospital, a large and 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, and several smaller ones, also four clubs—the Bangkok United Club, the Bangkok Club, the British Club and the German Club. 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 of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bangkok than can be 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 all hotels and principal shops are lighted with electricity, incandescent lights being universally in use. The population of Bangkok is variously estimated from 100,009 to 600,000, or even higher. 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.

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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 rice 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 following are the latest trade figures, the year ending 31st March—

Imports Exports

Total.

1903.

Ticals

1904.

65,417,702

74,464,417

Imports Exports

139,882,119

Total....

Ticals

78,306,687 ..101,386,456

179,693,143

The British Consul in his Report for 1904 says:-"The total value of the foreign trade was £10,014,141, an increase of over two and a half millions beyond the previous year, and of more than two millions on 1902, which was the 'recorl' year in Siamese trade, while it was about two and a half times greater than the total trade of 1891. The export of rice alone in 1904 was considerably greater than the whole trade of 1894. The imports, which consist mainly of cotton and steel goods, amounted to £4,363,966 and the exports to £5,650,175. Rice is the chief item of the export trade and aniounted to £4,520,470, or 80 per cent. of the whole, while 10 per cent. represents teak, the remaining 10 per cent. by other products.'

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In 1904, of a total steam tonnage cleared outwards at Bangkok of 649,107, there was a German tonnage of 383,256, the Norwegian was 85,841 and the British 120,580. As to labour, the Chinese coolies continue to be masters of the port, and the position in regard to them grows worse, for the supply is insufficient, and they can impose what terms they please. Bangkok itself is improving greatly, new roads having been opened and shops and houses are being built. A great and much-needed reform is the abolition of gambling houses, the great majority of which, in the interior, have now been closed. By 1907, it is expected that all gambling houses in Siam, including Bangkok, will be suppressed.