Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 1171

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BANGKOK

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 being about 12 miles. Various new streets and roads have been made recently, and Bangkok has now over 100 miles of carriage roads. A telegraph line connects the Lighthouse at the Bar beyond the mouth of the river with the business portion of the city, and a wireless telegraph station was completed in 1913 that is also in com- munication with the bar. The principal trade of Bangkok, and the foundation on which not only its prosperity but its actual existence mainly rests, is rice. This article is drawn in immense quantities, not only from the innumerable fields which line the fertile valley of the Menam, but from the adjacent rivers which flow into the Gulf from the enormous watershed of the mountain crescent which fringes the northern extremity of the kingdom. The output of this grain in favourable years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes support to the native population of Siam and the Malay Peninsula, but largely contributes to the supply of China, Manila, the Straits, Java, and Sumatra ; a large amount is also sent to Europe and even to South America. There is also a large trade in teak-wood and ivory, with very many other minor articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. Butterfield & Swire steamers give a regular weekly connection with Hongkong and Swatow; and the Straits Steamship Co. has a weekly service with Singapore. The British-India S. N. Co. also maintains a frequent service between Singapore and Bangkok. The Osaka Shosen Kaisha maintains a connection with Singapore and Netherlands-India. There are always a number of Norwegian and Japanese steamers chartered by Bangkok firms. The Siam Steam Navigation Co. provides regular connection with the coast ports, and the Siamese Steamship Co., Ltd., has its head office in Bangkok.

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 of 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 two Protestant Churches-Christ Church and St. Mary's Mission; four Roman Catholic Churclies; nine Hospitals (two being main- tained by and for the accommodation of Europeans, with a staff of European nurses). Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, maintained by the Siamese Red Cross Society, is one of the finest and best equipped hospitals in the East. The Society has also under its charge the Pasteur Institute, first opened in 1905. St. Louis' Hospital, a spacious building, was opened in 1899, the Sisters of Charity being in charge. The French Roman Catholic Mission maintains two schools for boys and two for girls. The American Presbyterian Mission, also, has a school for boys and one for girls. The State system of education is thoroughly up to date and the University comprises Faculties of Medicine, Political Science, Engineering, and Literature and Science. An Act was promulgated in 1921 making elementary education compulsory and free for boys and girls alike. It is in force in only a few places, but these_will be gradually extended. There are two first-class hotels-the Oriental and the Royal-and several smaller ones; also six clubs - the Bangkok United Club, the British Club, the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, The Silom Club, the Royal Turf Club, and the club of the Wild Tiger Corps (for Siamese). The King's palaces and the temples are magnificent and on a large scale; the architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country; and there is much of novelty and interest to be witnessed by the passing traveller, The roads have been greatly improved. The city throughout its principal streets, as well as all hotels and principal shops, is lighted with electricity. The last census of the population of Bang- kok town was taken in May, 1922, when the total population in the so-called municipal area was found to be 324,422. There were 1,296 Europeans in Bangkok, and 200 at least in the provinces. The number of Chinese is calculated at 102,569.

The average mean temperature at Bangkok is 82°. The hottest months are February, March and April, when the highest temperature recorded in the shade averages over 100°. The lowest temperature averages 61° Fahr.

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. The largest ships can load there. A lighthouse aids vessels to make the

-entrance.