Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 1219

SIAM-BANGKOK

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Ayuthia and intended to open up the country to Chiengmai was commenced in June, 1898, 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, the section to Pitsanulok in 1907, and the last section to Chiengmai on January 1st, 1922. The line running south-west to Petchaburi. vid Ratburi, 152 km. long, was opened to traffic in the early part of 1903. In 1909 the construction of this Southern line was continued from Petchaburi, and has now been completed to the Kedah frontier at Padang Besar and to the Kelantan frontier at Sungei Golok. A through rail service between Bangkok and Penang was opened on July 1st, 1918, and the time was reduced to 36 hours from the beginning of 1922. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Patriew was completed in 1908. It is now being continued to the Cambodian frontier. The Korat line is being continued to Abon. 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 Chiengmai had made good progress. The war delayed the completion of the Northern line, but through traffic was opened to Chieng- mai towards the end of 1921. The total length of State and private railways is as follows:-(1) Northern line, 750 kilometres; (2) Southern line, 1,309 kilometres; (3) Eastern line, 63 kilometres; (4) private lines, 106 kilometres. The private railway companies comprise the Paknam, Meklong and Phrabad Companies. A fleet of steam launches runs from the metropolis in all directions up-country to the east and west.

The foreign import trade of Siam some years ago took a leap upward and remained practically unchanged at Ticals 63,000,000 until 1909. In 1921-22 the value of the imports was Ticals 159,000,000. Owing to a failure of the crop, the export of rice was prohibited and the value of exports fell to Ticals 90,000,000, but in 1919-20 the value reached Ticals 177,000,000. In 1920-21 the average exchange value of the Tical was 9.58 to the £1; in 1919-20 it was 11.28. The principal export is rice, constitut- ing 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 10 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, etc., was estimated at 9,122,000 for the year 1920-21. The number of Chinese in the kingdom is estimated at about half a million.

BANGKOK

The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam about 25 miles from where this magnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. On 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 Siamese, Chinese and Mahommedan 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