The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-30

1 A NAM SIltl IL OTlGQIal Ii spirit Uut
> possesses modern occidental APP
~ pointments Of great variety. In
assimilating things western, Siam
has maintained it's distinctive individu-
atty. Few countries offer more star
Ting contrasts.
/ 1t Is not unusual In Siamese cities
to see policemen hating motor and
street car traffic to make way for some
Kaleidoscope medieval pageant With
modern hospitals and dispensaries
available, many people still prefer
medicinal connections made from rhi-
noceros horns. snake CALLS and strange
herbs Slow-moving oxcarts and shut
fling elephants vie with motorcars for
the right of way on many country
roads, Siamese Rebeccas in Bangkok
fill their jars Cor oil tins) with water
at sanitary street hydrants. In some
parts of north Siam tiger whiskers are
considered much more effective in pun
fishing an enemy than is police court.
Yet. on the visit of the king and
| queen of Siam to the United States in
1881, when King Prajadhipok revealed
his keen interest In athletics, radio,
and motion pictures, and discussed in
excellent English with newspaper cor
respondents and business leaders such
| things as free press and democracy,
while the queen played golf, many peo-
pie were amazed to discover how mod
ern the royal family really was.
Again, through the Forthcoming visit
Of the king for further optical treat
ment, the Land Of the Free" in Asia
will meet our United States and mutual
appreciation will be increased.
Siam a Land of the Free? Such is
the meaning of Muang Thai. the name
by which the Siamese have always
known their country. Specifically, it
might seem somewhat of an anomaly {;
for, until less than two years ago, when
a constitution was born, Siam was the
sole remaining absolute monarchy in
the Family of Nations.
Yet the name Muang Thai has sig
nificance. OF all the numerous races
and tribal groups who in successive
migrations have swept down across
southern Asia, only the Siamese have
emerged victorious. Against many vi
cissitudes they have maintained their
complete independence and forged
themselves modern state.
Now Quite Accessible.
Today we can step aboard the magic
carpets provided by Imperial Anyways,
K. L. M, and Air-France at London,
Amsterdam, or Marseilles and be
whisked away to this interesting orr
entail land in a little over week, for
Siam lies at the aerial crossroads Of
the Far East. Or we can go by boat
and drop off at Penang, Singapore, or
Hong Kong, as Bangkok is linked to
Penang by train, to Hong Kong by To-
cal steamer, and to Singapore by both.
In the long curving sweep of Bang
kok's river highway, the Me Nam Chao
Bhraya, is revealed the pageant of
Slams commercial activity. Many Of
Bangkok's so rice mills line the water
front. Chinese junks and lighters clut-
ter their wharves, with endless queues
of perspiring, bare-backed coolies
dumping baskets of rice in their holds.
Other boats lift their rough mating
sails and slip downstream to the off
coast island of Koh 81 Chang. where
deep-draft steamers take on cargo
Nearly 80 per cent Of all Slams for
eign trade moves up and down this wa
terway, accompanied by all the strange
smells and cries peculiar to an oriental
port.
AS capital city, Bangkok is not old.
It is but a few years senior to Wash
ington, on the Potomac. The New
Rama | bridge, its enormous spans
etched sharply against background
of colorful temples and waterfront
shops, gives the city its date line. This
475-foot structure, first to link the two
portions of the city, was dedicated in
April, 1882. In commemoration of the
one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the
founding of Bangkok and the reign of
the present Chakkri dynasty.
Extensive festivities brilliant In orr.
entail splendor attended Its dedication.
At six o'clock In the morning on that
April day, after having said prayers
and lighted incense before the statue
of the Rama l, which stands at the
approach of the bridge. King Prajadhi-
polk, clad In ancestral garments, cut
the thread Of silk that barred the en-
trance. Then. mounting the golden pa
lanquin, surrounded by parasols Of
state, and accompanied by the princes
and high officials, he made the first
crossing of the bridge.
American influence.
America has touched Siam in many
ways. Through American missionaries
modern medicine was first practiced
and progressive schools developed In
the country. Americans brought the
first printing presses and also adapted
the "A consonants and 90 vowel and
tonal marks of the Siamese written
language to the keyboard of type
writer.
! Aided by American advisers Of for