Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 1243

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SIAM -BANGKOK

and the first section (42 kilometres) to Lopburi was opened to traffic on 1st April, 1901. The next section, Lopburi-Paknampo (118 km.), was opened to traffic in November. 1905, and the section to Pitsanulok in 1907. The line running south-west to Petchaburi. vid Ratburi, 152 km. long, was opened to traffic in the early part of 1903. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Patriew was completed in 1908. A further section of the North Line, to Ban Dara, was opened in November, 1908, and a section to Utaradit and Pang Ton Phung, with a branch line to Sawankalok, at the end of 1909. By November, 1913, the line was open to traffic as far as Pak Tha, and the survey of the route to Chieng- mai had made good progress. The total length of State and private railways in 1917 was as follows: (1) Northern line, 520 miles; (2) Southern line, 642 miles; (3) private lines, 65 miles. The private railway companies comprise the Paknam, Meklong and Phrabad Companies. These lines have together a total length of 106 kms. Work on the Southern line down the Peninsula was begun in 1909. The section from Trang to Kackhaowan was opened in 1913, making a total length open to traffic of 256 kms. There is now communication by rail between Bangkok and Penang (British Malaya). A fleet of steam launches runs from the metropolis in alp directions up-country to the east and west.

The foreign import trade of Siam soine years ago took a leap upward and remained practically unchanged at 63,000,000 ticals until 1909. It has increased by ten million ticals since then, while exports, during the last few years, have increased owing to the continued growth in the trade in rice. In twenty-five years the revenue of the country has grown from fifteen million to over seventy million ticals.

The sea-borne trade in recent years has been over twelve million pounds sterling in value. The principal export is rice, constituting about 83 per cent. of the total. Teak comes next with about 12 per cent. Hides and marine products are exported in considerable quantities.

The Army is small, but in recent years great progress has been achieved in military matters. The land forces of the Kingdom are divided into ten divisions grouped into three Army Corps, with one independent Division (the 4th). The First, the division of the Guards, is stationed in Bangkok. Each division consists of two Regiments of Infantry, one of either Cavalry or Chasseurs, one Regiment of Artillery, one Company of Engineers, one Company of Transport, and one Ambulance Company. At the in- vitation of the Allied Powers Siam sent a contingent of volunteers, consisting of aviators and motor-transport troops, to France in June, 1918. A form of conscription is in force throughout the country.

The Royal Military College in Bangkok has been one of the principal factors in the improvements effected in the Army, and young officers trained in this institution are also in great demand for the work of the civil administration of the interior. The Navy is small but additions are constantly being made to its strength.

The native population of Siam, with Laos, Cambodians, Peguans, &c., excluding those under Consular protection, is estimated at nearly nine inillions. The number of Chinese in the kingdom is estimated at about half a million.

BANGKOK

On

The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam about twenty- five miles from where this magnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. the left bank of the river is the city proper, enclosed partly by a wall. The Royal palaces and Government Offices are within the wall, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, and the principal rice mills being on the principal or main street of the city. The right bank is principally occupied by the Siamese, Chinese and Mahomedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the left. Here a road, called New Road-in Siamese, Charurn Krung-extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem, and the electric tramway runs along it for a distance of about six miles. Another electric tramway to Samsen has a length of four miles. Both these are the property of the Siam Electricity Co., Ltd. The lines of the new Siamese Tramway Co., Ltd., opened in 1906, traverse the city and its environs in various directions, the total length