Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-09-09
SIAM AND ITS P 0PLE

Public interest in Siam and curiosity
as to the resources, degree of civilization,
habits and customs OF the Siamese have
been quickened by the Franco Chinese
imbroglio, and accordingly the following
article will be found interesting and in
structive:
The Siamese trace their descent from
the first disciples of Buddha. Their de-
scendants having established themselves
in a province of what is now North Laos,
were so annoyed by their enemies that
they deserted their country and founded
a city in Western San. The conquered
Southern Siam, l..cn held by the Cambo-
dams, and changed their seat of govern
ment to Aguthia, short distance north
of the present capital. The Laotians,
the Cambodians, the Peguans from the
West, Chinese captives and Hindus were
all brought together in the capital city /;
and this period (l350) marks the com
mencement of Slams authentic history
Along in the seventeenth century for
eign ideas commenced to be kindly re-
ceived in Siam, aud European merchant
who had become great favorite with
the people and the king on account of
his practical ability and the interest ne
took iu their welfare, was appointed
governor of all the northern provinces.
He suggested to the king the propriety
of erecting q fort, on European princi-
piles, to protect hi: capital. The king
accordingly selected plat of garden
ground on the west bank, near the mouth
of canal, and constructed a 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 adj
vanced in magniicence that few years
after the destruction of the old capital it
was occupied by the royal family. The
first XII 9 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 a
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
b. voluntary contributions.
THE sIAMEsE CAPITAL.
Bangkok, the capital, is in many re-
spects singular city. Its population is
estimated all the way from 800, 900 to
1000, 900. and is curiously mixed and
cosmopolitan. Siamese aud 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 foreign 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 req
son to believe, therefore, that the pres
enceof hostile feet in the river may at
any time excite the passions OF the pop
ulaee to an uncomfortable degree. and
mob violence in the East has moaning
which is unknown In Western lands.
Bangkok is the Eastern Venice. For.
merly 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
70 live on the river itself. Thousands
| upon thousands OF houses were conse.
/ quently built on rats and moored 10 the
banks Of the river, and although the
/ policy of river houses has been 10 some
extent modified by the governments no
inc0nsIdefable part Of the capital Is still
on The waters Of the Mcuam. The hou.e,
are # slight materials. constructed on
bamboo RATS, each attended by canoe.
. for to the river resident ot Bangkok IA
skill isas Indispensable as stree, car
60 the suburban resident Bon au American
city Formerly the right tn ha,.d ou tho
hanks was userys iotle King nobility.
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