Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22
S A MS c AP AL
Strange Sights and Scenes in Bangkok,
Of White Elephant Fame
The King and His Family and His wealth
in Gold and Elephants-Palacss and
Hovels-Curious Funerals.

According to the New York Sun, in an article
on Bangkok, the capital Of Siam, all visitors
to Siam testify that the present king, who has
occupied the throne since be was fifteen years
old, is man Of real intelligence and culture,
who is eager for the improvement Of his coun-
try. We have reason to regard this young
eastern potentate with friendly interest, for he
seems to have special liking for Americans,
and greatly admires our enterprise and inyen-
tons. while ago be told our consul at Bang
kok that he hoped before long to see line Of
American steamers plying to his capital. He
was sure there were promising opportunities
for trade, for Siam would be glad to buy many
OF our manufactures. and he believed We could
purchase rice cheaper in Siam than elsewhere.
or course, the most conspicuous fgurHjn
Siam is the king. He has never been fun ther
away from home than Calcutta. he ID very
popular among his people and very progress
sive. He is not however. inclined to mix with
Europeans quite SO freely as his old father did
for a time. No European. unless diplomat.
can approach him except at the royal recep-
tions.
When his majesty is in state attire he glistens
from head to foot with precious stones, worth
over 1000. 600, and his conicai hat, O solid
mass OF gems and gold. weighs twsnty-seven
pounds. If be did not sit rigidiy erect the hat
would topple off.
Before the present king ascended the throne
every Siamese had to crawl in the presence OF
the sovereign. The young king abolished all
that. He wants his subjects to remember they
are men, and none Of them now crouches be-
fore him, though they often have to before the
smail-fry mobiles.
On the kings birthday seven years ago, when
all the mobiles and diplomats were assembled at
the kings annual ball, his majesty aston
ished and delighted everybody by leading his
pretty queen into the room. II was the first
time king Of Siam had appeared in public
with his consort or in any way recognized her
as his equal. 1t was the talk of all the nobility
for weeks. 1t may startle many Of the Suns
readers TO learn that the Queen is the half sister
OF the king. But they are used to that sort Of
royal marriage in Siam. The queen has an
English tutor, and. like her husband, she
speaks English fairly well.
The common report in Bangkok is that his
majesty has had 800 wives and eighty-seven
children. He was father when be was twelve
years old, and he il only forty now. Siamese
has one legitimate wife. The others are sub
ject 10 her will as well as his. and are properly
csassed as concubines. The kings second wives,
as thew are called. attain. through their rela-
tions to him, q certain rank nobility.
Each is provided with separate apartments
and her own servants. Each has an ample
allowance for her support. None Of them can
go outside the palace walls without the king
permission. They are guarded day and night
by female police, who wear q distinctive uni
form. and no European is permitted 10 enter
the harem except the kings physician and the
wife Of an English trader, who carries in bric-a-
brac and trinkets to sell to the royal wives. On
every siamese Sunday the king and his 800