The sun., 1919-09-10


Ga tical IL equivalent to about Sc cents
In American currency:
Silver-one tical, two salungs. equal
to half a teal, and one salung, equal to
one-quarter OF, teal.
Nickel--Ten satangs, equal to one
tenth Of tlcal. and five satangs, equal
to one-twentieth OF n teal
BronEe--One satang, equal to one-one
hundredth Of a teal.
Currency notes are issued by the
Government for s, 10. 20, 100 and 1000
ticals
I believe there il an excellent oppor-
tunity for American concerns inter-
ested in any of the above products to
purchase them most advantageously
from the producers in Siam. In fact this
has been brought forcibly TO my atten-
ton In the last few months by the num-
Der of letters l have received and also
the number of passports / have been
called upon to wise for representatives
OF different concerns who wish to visit
Siam with the object Of purchasing one
or more Of the articles mentioned.
As regards selling articles of Ameri-
can manufacture In Slam, this without
question offers a wonderful field for
any American export house.
Siam has for many years purchassd
large percentage of its imports from
Germany, a majority of which were
Of an inferior grade. In fact was told
recently by a wealthy Siamese mer-
chant that Germany for many years
considered Siam and China as sort of
dumping ground for anything and
everything II could not dispose of else
where.
The import duties into Siam are ex-
ceedlngly moderate, there being a nat
duty of 3 per cent ad valorem on all
articles except beer. wine and spirituous
liquors, which are assesDed s per cent.
ad valorem, and II under the strength of
25 degrees are to pay duty as II OF the
strength of rs degrees. and II of the
strength Of rs degrees or over. are to
pay duty at the rate OF lie satangs per
degree per litre. Treasure, gold leaf
and opium are exempt from duty. but
the latter can be imported only under
special Government permit.
Need Farm Machinery.
have frequently been asked what
articles are imported into Siam. The
briefest answer can give is-prac-
tically everything, as there is very little
manufactured in the country. At pres
ent there IL great demand for agri-
cultural machinery and implements.
The transportation of American mer-
chandise to Siam is not nearly so diff
cult as many imagine. 1t is. however. a
fact that a large percentage of goods
sent from this country have to be trans
shipped at either Hongkong or singa-
pore. but there are several steamship
concerns in New York which have fire.
quent sailings for these ports and In
most cases will issue a through bill OF
lading to Bangkok-or shipment may
be made via San Francisco In a similar
manner. 1t Is possible to ship goods
from New York every two weeks. and
as soon as more tonnage Is released
there should at no time be a delay OF
more than 4 week or ten days.
The reason for the necessity of trans
shipping at Hongkong or Singapore Is
owing to the fact that the amount Of
| cargo offering does not make II attrac.
tive for ship owners to send their steam
ships to Bangkok, or at least as neal
thereto as possible. as the depth of water
and harbor facilities cannot accommo
date any large steamship. In fact thosc
into which the cargo is transshipped ar,
but about 1000 or 5000 tons deadweight
1t takes these steamers about a weei
from Hongkong to Bangkok and fou
days from Singapore.
The Siamese Government recent,
built what is known as the Southern
Railway. This understand Is now com
pleted and will, In the case OF all ma!
matter and passenger traffic. save abou
\ a week in time between the Unite,
States and Bangkok.
There are many steamships going (,
Bangkok annually. and the occasion
| often arises where shipments can b.
| made direct as for Instance during tn,
year 1917-1s 1909 steamships were en-
| tered at the custom house In Bangkok
2l5 were British, 16s Chinese, As Dutch
81 French, 237 Norwegian, 16S Siames
and the balance from various countries
| Only three American vessels entered tn
port during the year.
1t will always be my pleasure to b
Of assistance to any one contemplating
doing business with Slam, supplying in
formation as to ssiiings of steamship,
names OF concerns interested in tn
products they manufacture, or in fac
help in every way In my power towar
the development OF mutual commercia
intercourse between the two countries.