Bangkok

the capital city of Siam. It is situated on the Menam River, about twenty miles above its mouth. A central portion of the city lying on the east bank is surrounded by a wall twelve feet thick and surmounted by towers. The rest of the city stretches along on both sides of the river for miles. The ordinary buildings are constructed of bamboo. The streets are intersected in every direction with canals. Many of the houses are built on piles. A very considerable part of the population lives in house boats. Seen from the river the appearance of the city is striking. There are over a hundred Buddhist temples, including one in which a jasper statue of Buddha may be seen. The Great Pagoda is one of the wonderful buildings of the East. The king's palace and grounds include a private temple, offices, the royal seraglio, stables for the sacred white elephant, etc. There are (1909) twenty-six rice mills in the city. The city trades with Singapore, Hong Kong, and European ports. Silk and cotton goods, kerosene, sugar, opium, cutlery, and machinery are the chief imports. Rice, teak and other woods, pepper, hides, lac, birds' nests, and many forest products are exported to the value of $25,000,000 a year. The city has a large trade up and down the river. There are two railways. Telegraphic communication has been established with outlying parts of the kingdom. The business portion of the city has postal delivery and a system of gas lighting. The population is estimated at from 400,000 to 600,000-a third Chinese.