Siam
a kingdom embracing a great part of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and part of the Malay Peninsula, and lying between Burma on the W., and Annam and Cambodia on the E. and S. E. Its boundaries are ill defined on the N. and N. E., but its area is estimated at about 195,000 square miles, and its population (1919) at 8,924,000. Capital, Bangkok.
Pop. 630,000.
Topography. A large part of the territory is not well known. Siam proper consists mainly of the low-lying alluvial basin of the Menam and its numerous tributaries, which flows S. into the Gulf of Siam, forming an extensive and intricate delta. This alluvial plain, intersected by numerous streams and canals, is extremely fertile, producing crops of rice, sugar, cotton, maize, and indigo. Both sides of the Manam basin are skirted by densely wooded ranges of hills, forming the water partings toward the Salwin and Mekong, the latter of which is the great river of eastern Siam. The minerals include gold, tin, iron, copper, lead, zinc, and antimony, besides several precious stones, such as the sapphire, Oriental ruby, and Oriental topaz. Mining is chiefly in the hands of the Chinese.
Much of Upper Siam seems incapable of being cultivated. During the dry season, which lasts from November to May, there is an utter absence of rain in this region, which again is so flooded by rain during the wet season as to be converted into a vast swampy forest. Cocoa and areca palms are numerous in Siam; fruits are abundant and of excellent quality; black pepper, tobacco, cardamoms, and gamboge are important products. The forests produce aloes wood, sappan wood, teak timber, bamboos, rattans, gutta percha, dammar, catechu, benzoin, etc. Among wild animals are the tiger, leopard, bear, otter, ourang-outang, single-horned rhinoceros, and elephant, which here attains a size and beauty elsewhere unknown. The last, when of a white color, is held in the highest reverence. The forests abound with peacocks, pheasants, and pigeons; and in the islands are large flocks of the swallows that produce the famed edible birds' nests. Crocodiles, geckoes, and other kinds SIAM of lizards, tortoises, and green turtles are numerous. The python serpent attains an immense size, and there are many species of snakes.
Commerce and Finances. Practically the entire trade of the country is in the hands of foreigners and in recent years many Chinese have settled in the country and have become important in commercial activities. The total imports in 1918 and 1919 amounted to £7,930,147, and the exports £12,469,956. The principal imports are cotton goods, foodstuffs, raw material, metal manufactures and machinery, mineral oils, silk goods, and tobacco. The chief exports are rice and teak. The total revenue in 1919-20 amounted to £5,853,- 846 and the expenditure to £5,850,526.
The total national debt in March 31, 1920, was £6,630,960. A British officer holds the position of financial adviser, and other British officers hold advisory positions in the government, especially in the departments of finance, revenue, forests, and police.
Army and Navy. - Military service is compulsory and the army is organized along European lines. The peace strength is over 20,000 men. The navy consists nominally of 21 vessels, but they are of little effective value.
Government. The executive power is in the hands of the king who is advised by a cabinet consisting of the heads of the various departments of the government.
There is also a legislative council composed of not less than 12 members, appointed by the Crown. The total membership in 1920 was 40. The kingdom is diom vided into 18 provinces, of which 17 have each a lord lieutenant, taking their authority directly from the king, who in 1920 was Chao Fa Maha Vajiravudh, who succeeded his father in 1910. His official title is King Rama VI.
People. The Siamese are members of the great Mongolian family, and of the same race as the people of Burma and Annam. In stature they do not average more than 5 feet 3 inches in height; they have a lighter colored skin than the Western Asiatics, but darker than the Chinese. Elementary education is general, most of the Siamese being able to read and write. The houses are mostly constructed of timber and bamboo, and in localities subject to inundation are raised on piles. The Siamese profess Buddhism, introduced into the country about the middle of the 7th century. Christianity is now making some progress in the country. Some of the temples are large and elaborate structures richly decorated.
The language forms a connecting link between the Chinese and Malay. The written characters seem to be derived from a form of Sanskrit. The literature is Vol 8 AA-Cyc SIANG-TAN meager, uninteresting, and in point of imagination and force of expression much below the Arabic, Persian, or Hindustani.
The language of the chief Buddhist works is Pali. The printing press has been introduced in recent years, and many of the best Siamese works can now be had in a printed form.
History. Siam appears to have no place in history prior to A. D. 638, and the credible records go back only to 1350, the date of the foundation of Ayuthia, the old capital. The Portuguese established intercourse with Siam in 1511, but in the 17th century were gradually supplanted by the Dutch. English traders were in Siam very early in the 17th century, but in consequence of a massacre their factory at Ayuthia was abandoned in 1688. The French were expelled about the same time, and the trade was neglected till 1856, when Sir J. Bowring's treaty again opened up Siam to Europeans.
The French, desiring access to China by means of the river system of the peninsula, accused Siam of encroaching on the territory of Annam, and in 1893 sent a fleet to Bangkok, where peace was dictated. Cambodia and the territory E. of the Mekong river were placed under French protection. A belt extending for a distance of 25 kilometers W. of Mekong was neutralized and valuable trade privileges were conceded to France. From that time the French sphere of influence gradually extended still further west and by a treaty made in 1904 France obtained control of about 8,000 square miles to the W. of the Mekong and the S., as well as other territory. By a treaty between France and Great Britain made in the same year, the territories to the W. of the Menam and the Gulf of Siam were recognized as in the British sphere of influence, while those to the E. were in the French.
France and Great Britain guaranteed the future integrity of Siamese territory. In 1907, however, more territory was ceded to France and in 1909 three states were ceded to Great Britain. A conspiracy against the king was discovered in 1912, which was put down with great severity.
Siam remained neutral in the World War until July 22, 1917, when war was declared against the Central Powers. At the invitation of the Allied governments a force of volunteers were sent to France in 1918. These comprised chiefly aviation troops.
In recent years Siam has developed greatly commercially and economically.
The government has been well administered and there has been notable improvement in the condition of the people.