St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-10-21
SIAM AND ITS PEOPLE.


structive:
The Siamese trace their descent from
the first disciples of Buddha. Their de-
scendants having established themselves
in province of what is now North Laos
were so annoyed by their enemies that
they deserted their country and founded
city in Western Siam. The conquered
Southern Siam, then held by the Cambo
dians, and changed their seat of govern
ment to Aguthia, short distance north
of the present capital. The Laotians,
the Cambodians, the Peguaus from the
West, Chinese captives and Hindus were
all brought together in the capital city
and this period $3.50 marks the com
mencement of Slams authentic history.
Along in the seventeenth century for
eign ideas commenced to be kindly re-
,ceiyed in Siam, and European merchant
who had become a great favorte with
| the people and the king on account of
his practical ability and the interest he
took in their welfare, was appointed
| governor of all the northern provinces.
He suggested to the king the propriety
of erecting a fort, on European princi-
| Piles, to protect his capital. The king
accordingly selected plat of garden
| ground on the west bank, near the mouth
| of canal, and constructed fort. This
| garden ground became portion of the
site of the unique city of Bangkok, and
the fort still stands near the royal resi-
dence. Aguthia was destroyed by the
Burmese when they conquered Siam in
the latter part of the eighteenth century.
The fort had been erected for century,
and the city Of Bangkok had so far ad-
vanced in magnitlcence that few years
after the destruction of the old capital it
was occupied by the royal family. The
first XII to hold his court in Bangkok
was of Chinese origin, he having deliv-
cred his country from the Burmese.
There is probably no country in the
world where Buddhism has so absolute Il
sway as in Siam. Even more profusely
than in Burmah is the wealth of the
kingdom lavished upon temples and
priests. 1t is stated that in the capital
alone there are 10000 priests supported
by voluntary contributions.
THE sIAMEsE CAPITAL.
Bangkok, the capital is in many re-
spects singular city. Its population is
estimated all the way from 500, 1000 to
1000 1000, and is curiously mixed and
cosmopolitan. Siamese and Chinese pre-
dominate in its streets, though the Ma
Lays are also very numerous, and frequent
Europeans demonstrate the presence of
Western civilization and interests. They
are, in fact, the leaven of Siam, and to
their influence and the spread of Western
ideas are due the various Improvements
noticeable in the great city from which
political power proceeds to the ut
most boundaries of Siam. The army
is differed by Europeans, chiefly
English and Danes; the navy is com
manded by Europeans, and of the many
business enterprises in Siam, most of
those which connect it with the outside
world are superintended by Europeans.
There is little love lost, however, be-
tween the native and forei On elements of
society, and the intense hatred felt for
all foreigners by the large Chinese pop
ulation may at any moment prove disas
trous to all foreign interests. English,
French, German, Russian are all alike to
the low class Cinnamon, who cannot dis
tinguish between their languages, and
all are hated alike. There is every rea-
son to believe, therefore, that the pres
ence of hostile feet in the river may at
any time excite the passions Of the pop
ulace to an uncomfortable degree, and
mob violence in the East has meaning
which is unknown in Western lands.
Bangkok is the Eastern Venice For
merlv all its houses were built on the
land, but the prevalence of cholera many
years ago so alarmed the government
that it ordered the houses on the banks
to be abandoned and directed the people
to live on the river itself. Tho usands
upon thousands of houses were conse-
quently built on RATS and moored to the
banks of the river, and although the
policy of river houses has been to some
extent modified by the government, no
inconsiderable part of the capital is still
On the waters of the Menam. The houses
are Of slight materials. constructed ON
bamboo RATS, each attended by canoe,
for to the river resident of Bangkok a
skiff is as indispensable as a street car
tc the suburban resident in an American
city. Formerly the right to build ON the
banks was reserved to the king, nobility,
clergy and privileged characters.
This right has been greatly extended,
and now Bangkok has spread its limits
on both sides of the Menam. The most
striking features of the city are the pal
aces and the temples. The former are
located in a cita'|el securely fortified
against sudden attack or prolonged siege
and comprise the palaces of the two
kings and a variety Of temples and other
structures pertaining to the court. AS
the first king has about 5000 women at
tached to the court in one capacity or
another. the palaces are, as may be con-
jeotured, very roomy.
GUARDS OF THE HAREM.
Prominent among the attendants
arc the Amazon guards of the harems
They are women trained to the use of
arms and employed to guard the kings
wives, and whenever lady of the harem
appears in public, she is attended by a
retinue of these female soldiers, who
answer with their lives for her
seclusion. Several very magnificent
temples are within the limits
of the palace walls. the most
remarkable being that of the "Sleep
ing Idol" and that of the g Emer
aid Idol" The Sleeping IGol is q statue
$50 fe.t long, overlaid from head to foot
with plate gold, in many places covered
with Inscriptions and representations OF
the Investigations of Buddha. Not far