Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1322

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SIAM-BANGKOK

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, við 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 32 hours from the 1st October, 1929. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Patriew was completed in 1908. It has now been continued to Aranya Prades near the Cambodian frontier. The Korat line is being continued to Ubon. 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 Chiengmai towards the end of 1921. The total length of State railways is as follows:--East Bank lines, 1,514.992 kilometres; Southern lines, 1,346 789 kilometres, and 216 438 kilometres of lines under construction. 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 1928-1929 the value of the imports was Ticals 189,790,506 as compared with Ticals 201,080,535 in 1927-1928. The value of exports in 1928-1929 was Ticals 252,474,784 as compared with Ticals 276,269,363 in 1927-1928 (including re-exports). The principal export is rice, which in 1928-1929 constituted 69.36 per cent. of the total exports; tin represented 7.94 per cent., and teak 4.45 per cent.

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 9,513,000 for the year 1923. 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 25 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 Siamese, Chinese and Maliommedan 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