Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 1347

BANGKOK

The city of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam about 23 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 Govern- ment Offices are within the wall, the foreign *hongs, and the principal rice mills being adjacent to the principal or main street of the city. The right bank is prin- cipally occupied by Thai, Chinese and Mahommedan residents. The bulk of the business is transacted on the left. Here a road, called New Road-in Thai, 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. Other lines opened in 1906, traverse the city and its environs in various directions, the total length being about 12 miles. All the tramway services are in the hands of the Thai Electric Corporation, Ltd. except the railway to Paknam which was purchased this year by the State. Various new streets and roads have been made recently, and its immediate suburbs have now some 400 miles of carriage roads. There is now also a road running from Bangkok to Don Muang (22 Kilometers) and one running South to Paknam (21 Kilometers). Bangkok is in direct wireless communication with Europe. 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 moun- tain 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 Thailand 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-Indies. There are always a number of Norwegian and Japanese steamers chartered by Bangkok firms. The Thai Steam Navigation Co. provides regular connection with the coast ports.

The public buildings and institutions include the Royal Museum, which is situated in the Wang Na, 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 Thai ethnological collection. There are two Protestant Churches-Christ Church and St. Mary's Mission; four Roman Catholic Churches; nine Hospitals (two being maintained by and for the accommodation of Europeans, with a staff of European nurses). Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, maintained by the Thai 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, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Nursing and Midwifery. An Act was promulgated in 1921 making elementary education compulsory and free for boys and girls alike. A new University of Moral and Political Science was established in June 1924. There are three first-class hotels the Oriental, the Rajdhani, belonging to the State Railways Department, and the Trocadero—

*hong a large shop or store.

=

་་