BANGKOK', the capital city of Siam, is situated on the banks of the Meinam, about 20 m. from the mouth of that river, in the gulf of Siam, and in bit. 13° 38' n., and long. 100° 31'e. The population is about 500,000, about half of whom are Chinese, in whose hands is centered nearly all the trade of B.. which is large. as is shown by the comnier ial returns. The exports in 1871 were $6,132,913; in 1872, $6,684,390. The imports In 1871 amounted to $4.509,461; in 1872, to $5,247,729. For their right to trade here, the Chinese pay a poll-tax of about $3 on entering tlic kingdom, and n similar sum is collected from them every three years. The payment of this tax exempts them from the half-yearly servitude which all other oriental strangers resident in Siam are required to give. The approach to B. by the Melnam, which can be navigated by ships of from 200 to 200 tons burden, is exceedingly beautiful, the banks being skirted by fine trees full of gay birds As the town is neared. numerous temples present themselves, and floating-houses become common; and finally, the whole city, with its rich gardens, and shining temples and palaces, bursts full upon the view. A large number of the houses uses float on rifts, and can be transferred from one place to another at pleasure. There are n few houses in the city built of brick and stone, but the greater part are of wood. There are usually in each house a division for males and one for females. The land-houses are raised upon piles, 6 or 8 ft. from the ground, and are reached by rude ladders—the daily flow of the tides and the annual inundations rendering this plan necessary. The floating houses are made of bamboo-boards, wicker-work. or palm-leaves and have generallv''a veranda in front, with a small wing at each end. The ciremnference of the walls of B., which are 15 ft. high and 12 broad, said to be 6 miles. The internal traffic of B. is
chiefly carried on by means of canals, there being only a few passable streets in the whole city. Horses and carriages are rarely seen except in the neighborhood of the palaces. The chief interest of the kingdom of Siam, according to sir John Bowrin4, concentrates itself in Bangkok. B. is the constant residence of two kings of bum and their respective courts. The palace of the first king is surrounded by high walls, and is nearly a mile in circumference. It includes temples, public offices, accommodation for some thousands of soldiers, with their necessary equipments, a theater, and rooms for about 3000 females, 600 of whom are the wives of the king. The sacred white elephant has also a place within the palace. Throughout the interior are distributed the most costly articles in gold, silver, and precious stones. The palace of the second king, whose functions are not very clearly defined, is nearly as large as that of the first king, but not so ostentatious. See SIAM. The temples of B. are innumerable, and decorated in the most gorgeous style, the Siamese taking a pride in lavishing their wealth on them. Some of them, according to the Catholic bishop Pallegoix, have cost more than 4,000,000 francs (160,000). In the neighborhood of B. arc iron-mines and forests of teak-wood. The chief exports are sugar, pepper, cardamoms, ivory, feathers, hides, One woods, rice, salt, and fish. By the treaty concluded by sir John Bowring in 1855. the Siamese reserve the right to prohibit the exportation of salt, rice, and fish, in cases of threatened scarcity. The imports are tea, manufactured silks and piece-goods, opium, hardware, machinery, and glass wares. In 1872, 336 vessels of 132.012 tons entered, and 294 of 136,148 tons, cleared the port. See sir John Bowring's S:anz.