The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-22
SIAM IN MARKET
FOR METAL GOODS
United States Beginning to
Share in Trade Once Mo-
nopolized by Europe.

Practically all Of Slams requirements
in metal manufactures of all classes
are supplied by foreign countries, for
the reason that the local industries in
these lines remain entirely undeveloped
and according to the present outlook
these conditions may continue for an
indefinite period, according to United
States Vice-Consul Carl c. Hansen at
Bangkok.
Railway material structural iron and
steel. galvanized iron sheets and wire
nails make up the leading items in
Slams imports of metal products, but
nearly everything that may be men
toned in the hardware line is also in
active demand.
At the present time, owing to the
shortage of stocks on hand and the
fact that two of the largest wholesale
and retail hardware houses, which were
closed for the duration of the war, may
not reopen again there appears to be
an excellent chance for those interested
in opening UP new business in the hard
ware trade in Bangkok.
The bulk OF Slams imports of iron
and steel manufactures has hitherto
come from European countries but dur
ing the last few years, however. the
United States share in this trade has
advanced considerably, amounting to
s345.015 worth of metal manufactures
and ss9,7s1 worth of machinery in the
fiscal year 19l7-1S, as compared with
s22.1s6 and s22,o46 worth. respectively
in the pre-war fiscal year ended March
81, 1914.
Lack of direct shipping facilities be-
tween Siam and the United States has
greatly hindered the progress Of recip-
| rocal trade relations between the re-
spective countries. However. besides the
actual consignments by foreign ships
many American products have found
their way to Siam through transship-
ments, so that articles OF all sorts manu-
featured in the United States may be
seen in every part of the Kingdom; but
in order to push business American dis
tributing houses are very essential, and
of such there are at present only two or
three in the Nentire kingdom.
The aggregate declared value of the
imports OF machinery through the port
of Bangkok was s754,611 in the fiscal
year ended March 81, 1914; SS3s.294 in
1915; S457,7l2 in 1916 SELFISH in
1917, and s293,145 in 1918. Among the
, more important items in the machinery
imports were marine engines. rice mill
ing machinery, sewing machines, railway
locomotives and machine tools. The total
value OF the imports of all metal manu-
features other than machinery amounted
to t2,262,364 in the fiscal year 1854
H.7S1.6e4 in 1s14-15; s1,4s2.276 in
1856; s1,63s,SS5 In 1851, and ST.
36s,341 in 1s17-1s. The cutlery and tool
imports, not including machine tools. are
classified separately. the value Of the
shipments of the former being S57.253 In
the fiscal year 1861. and s96.4ss in
1917-1S; and OF the latter $2l4.249 and
s141,6S9 in 1861 and 19l7-lS. respec-
lively.
The import duty on all kinds of metal
products is per cent. al valorem ana
is levied on the entire cost OF the ship
ment including packing. freight, insur-
ance and all other charges to the port
OF landing.
Practically all the shipments from for
eign countries to Siam are landed al
Bangkok. which is the most important
port in the kingdom and is also the cen
tire for distribution by rail and water,
ways Of merchandise to all parts Of the
country Most of the Bangkok firms are
general importers and handle metal
products OF all kinds,