Directory_and_Chronicle_1936 — Page 1258

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SIAM

standard was mooted in 1899, but did not come to anything till November, 1902, when the Mint was closed to the free coinage of silver. The gold standard was abandoned by force of economic pressure on May 11th, 1932 and the currency was linked to Sterling. A triennial poll-tax used to be imposed upon Chinese, but this has now been changed to an annual capitation-tax paid by all under Siamese jurisdic- tion. In 1933 income and business taxes were introduced. Siam entered the Universal Postal Union on the 1st July, 1885.

The first railway line, from Bangkok to Paknam, was opened by the King on the 11th April, 1893. It is a purely passenger line, having been unable to get any goods traffic worth mentioning, but the dividend averages about seven per cent. Another railway, a Government line via Ayuthia to Korat, was the first important. line completed. The first section, from Bangkok to Ayuthia, a distance of about 50 miles, was opened on the 26th March, 1897. Another section, to Gengkoi, was opened on November 1st, 1897, a third, to Hinlap, on April 1st, 1898, and the whole line was opened to traffic in November, 1900. The construction of a line branching off the Korat line near 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, vi 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 journey only takes 26 hours. The Eastern line from Bangkok to Petriew 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 open to traffic on January 1st, 1933, was 2,995 kms. A line from Kon Kaen to Nong Kai is at present under construction. The private railway companies comprise the Paknam, Meklong and Phrabad Companies. A fleet of steam and motor launches runs from the metropolis in all directions up-country to the east and west.

In 1933-34, the total value of all imports into Siam was Ticals 92,963,376, and of exports, Ticals 144,079,012. The figures for 1934-35 were Ticals 88,523,017 and Ticals 167,745,595 respectively. (Ticals 1-1/10 11/32). During the latter year, the main ex- ports were: Rice-Ticals 96,258,445; Tin-Ticals 24,231,634; Teak-Ticals 4,552,094. The principal export is rice which in 1934-35 constituted 57 of total exports, followed by tin, 14% and teak 3%.

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 18 battalions of infantry, 4 battalions of Cavalry, 8 groups of artillery, 2 battalions of Engineers and 2 battalions of Signallers. At the invitation 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. The Navy is small, but additions are constantly being made to its strength from time to time.

The last census was taken on July 15th, 1929, when the population of Siam was found to be made up as follow:-Siamese 10,493,304, Chinese 445,274, Indians and Malays 379,618, Cambodians 60,668, Annamites 5.321, Shans 27.505, Burmese 4,880, Europeans and Americans 1,920. Japanese 295, Others 87,422-Total 11,506,207. In 1935, the total estimated population was 13,266,000.

On June 24th 1932 a successful coup d'état took place in Bangkok, the result of which was the acceptance by the King of a form of constitutional government. Dissatisfaction with the policy of the new Ministers led to a second and equally bloodless coup

détat on June 20th 1933, headed by Colonel Phya Bahol, who has been Premier since that date. In October of the same year, an armed revolt organised by