SIAM.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7270, 25 July 1893, Page 3

SIAM.

Siam (native name Thai, the free, or Huang Thai, the kingdom of the free) has an area of about 280,650 square miles, say 2? times the size of New Zealand, and a population variously estimated at from four to six millions. The population of Bangkok, the capital, is also variously estimatad at from 600,000 to 1,000 000. There are several ports along the coast, but the foreign commerce is carried on entirely through Bangkok, which is situated a few miles from the mouth of the Meuam river. Nearly all the trade is in the hands of foreigners. The chief exports are tin, rice, teak, pepper, salt fish, bullocks, bides and horns, sapan wood, and cardamumsThe total value of the trade varies much from year to year. In 1890 the exports were over 3 millions sterling ; in 1891 little more than half as much ; and the imports for the same years were over 2£ and less than 1J millions respectively. British ships do a large part of the carrying trade, although Great Britain takes a comparatively small share of the exports. For administrative purpote the country is divided into over a hundrc i districts, each with its governor, who keeps bis people well under his thumb. •* Throughout the whole of Siam the natives are liable to forced labour for a certain period of the year, varying from one to three months, in consequence of which the land, rich in many parts, is badly cultivated.” Domestic slavery is in gradual process of abolition. One authority says ; " The limits of the Kingdom ef ftiam have varied much at different periods of its history; and even now, with the exception of its western frontier, the lines of demarcation cannot be exactly traced, most of the border lands being occupied by tribes more or less independent. Ibo boundary between Burma and North Wejt Siam is (1892) in process of delimitation by a boundary com’uusion. This will probably also be tbe case, next year, with regard to tbe east boundary, between Siam und the French possessions. ’’ (It was over the question of boundary that the quarrel with the French originated.)

Aa to the defences of Siam : “ There is a standing arm; of about 12,000 men, and the people generally are liable so be called out as required, but there is no armed militia It is stated that the Government possess upwards of 80,000 stand of arms, besides a considerable stock of cannon. The army is to some extent officered by Europeans. Siam possesses two screw steamers of 2000 tons and 8 guns each, and several gun boats, ( mostly in bad condition) officered by Europeans, chiefly English and Danes. (One cruiser of 2500 tons was being built last year.) Thera are forts with heavy guns at the mouth of the Bangkok (Bienam) river. The latter possesses a bar which effectually prevents the entrance of ships over 13ft draught.” The Siamese proper form about a third of the entire population, another third are Chinese, and the rest of mixed races from the surrounding territories. The Siamese are said to be " gentle, timid, careless, and almost passionless ” j inclined to be idle, inconstant, and exacting ; but they are sincere, very affectionate in their domestic relations, and witty in conversation. Their religion , is Buddhism, which inculcates the highest veneration for life in whatever form. A Siamese will not kill vermin or serpents, and the tameness of many creatures that iu Europe

flee from tbe presence of men, is observed by ail strangers. All the belles of Siam stain their teeth black. They are a small well well proportioned race, with olive-coloured skin and black hair, of which all that they allow to grow is a tuft about two inches long on the top of the bead—the rest being shaved off. They ere fond of music ; have a number of good native instruments, as well as the common European ones, and are skilful per* formers-