New-York tribune., 1901-02-10
BICYCLES IN SIAM.
AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS MAY FIND \
MARKET THERE.

Washington, Feb (SpeciaD.-The bicycle craze
has just struck Siam, and that the overproduction
OF factories in the United States may find market
in the East IS indicated by the entertaining report
Consul-General King Bangkok has sent TO the
State Department According 10 him the first
signment Of safety bicycles was taken TO Bangkok
by DR.. p. T. Darlington. American dentist, in
1896 Before that time one or two OF these wheels
had been imported for private use. There are now
in that city between twenty-five hundred and three
thousand bicycles. They 10 be in all parts
OF the city and used by all classes. The King
OF Siam rides American bicycle OF the latest and
most improved model. and II is by means un-
common thing 20 the Ministers of the Gov
ernment coming and going TO their duties and even
to public functions their wheels. Mr.. King con-
tinues:
The Minister ter Of the Interior has sysema tieaiy W
employment will lead TO better roads in the city
and In the country towns. He is the head OF
hundred members; Among the members are many
of the princes and Government officials. and in the
long runs 10 the remote parts Of the city. These
q the night, and wind up in banquet well toward
The GROWING endeavor Of this club was a grand
presence Of the king ana Queen ~ Sam and paTo
The entire AFFAIR was a great success. Perhaps
can in no better way show the popularity OF the
wheel in Siam than by quoting from the local
THE BICYCLE FETE.
Taken simply parade Of cyclists in fancy
dress with decorated machines kind Of fGte that
is common enough both in Europe and America
II may be doubted II any Of those present had
ever seen anything better. or. indeed, anything
that eQualed IL. There were between two hundred
and three hundred cyclists in the procession. all
IL elaborate fancy dress, which q wealth OF n
genuity had been spent. First on the programme
came the races, with all the records for Siam 10
make, and they were a successful they could
have been expected to be where there no
racetracks- After the races came the procession,
when the spectators had a chance Of trying 10
make out who who. Their Majestes a. should
nave been said, Were early the ground, and took
the greatest Interest in the whole proceedings The
judging over and the prizes presented a mimic
battle or noWers began and entered into
with good spirit This fete was, of course a thing
apart but considering the interest that Siamese
are taking In cycling there can be doubt that
Bangkok should be able to boast a cinder track
place where meetings and an occasional
fancy dress parade could be held"
This city is most faVOrably adapted 10 the use
OF bicycles, the streets being level and fairly well
paved in all directions. This is especially true of
the streets within the walled city and between
the old and new palaces, a distance of some three
miles or more. Any pleasant afternoon when the
King or Queen takes the favorite ride the
palace al Dusit Park several members of the royal
household-women men and children-may be
accompanying the carriage their wheels. The
bicycle has come TO Siam TO stay. IL is finding its
way into the outlying cities and villages and as
better roads and better means of communication.
The season does not witness the enthusiasm OF
six months ago, but dealers report a steady sale.
The American wheel is by far the favorite IN Siam,
representing between Is and s5 per cent of all
bicycles used in the Kingdom.