Formerly the commodities of Hindustan and Europe reached the capital of Siam by being transported across the isthmus of Krah and the Malay peninsula, by the roads which connect Poonga with Clialya, Phnn-phin, and Bandon, Trang with Ligor, and Queda with Sungora.
The goods were carried overland by elephants, the only animal of burden need in these parts, and the journey took from five to seven days. The goods were shipped on the shores of the Gulf of Siam for the capital. By these roads the tin, ivory, and edible birds'-nests of Salang are still brought to Siam ; but not the manufactures of Europe and Hindustan, as Singapore is a better emporium for pro curing the goods, and the conveyance by this route is less expensive.
In the present year, 1855, Sir J. Bowring succeeded in negotiating a treaty with the king of Siam, which is to come into operation in April, 1856, by which the restrictions which impede European trade with Siam are to be removed, and a new and moderate import tariff is to be substituted. British subjects are to be allowed the right to rent or purchase houses and lands within a certain distance of Bangkok.
History.—The early history of Siam is entirely unknown. In 1511 the Portuguese, after the conquest of Malacca by Albuquerque, established an intercourse with Siam. In the 16th century Siam was for many years subject to the Birmans, but recovered its independence towards the close of that century. In 1612 the first English vessel went to Ayuthia. Towards the end of the 17th century, a European adventurer, a native of the Wand of Cephalonia, called Phaulkon, who previously to his arrival in Siam bad served as a sailor, mostly in English vends, by his talents gained the esteem of the king, and was by degrees promoted to one of the most important offices of govern ment. He persuaded the king to encourage the civilisation of his
subjects by inviting European settlers, and for that purpose to send an embassy to Louis XI V. of France. This embassy appeared in Europe in 1684, and the king of France sent two embassies to Siam in 16S5 and 1687, and also a corps of 500 French soldiers. Phaulkon put the French in possession of the fortress of Bangkok, but in 1690 a revolution took place, through which the reigning family lost the throne, the minister Phaulkon his life, and the French were expelled from the country. About 1760 the Birmans laid waste the country and took the capital, Ayuthia. The king of Siam bad been killed in the assault, and his family was carried away to Ara as prisoners. Soon afterwards the Birman army left the country, and a chief named Phi*.
tak, of Chinese descent, seized upon the throne and proclaimed himself king; but in 17S2 he was deprived of his throne and life by an insur rection which placed the reigning family on the throne. Some further attempt. of the Birmans to conquer at least a pert of Siam entirely failed, and a truce was at last concluded between both parties in 1793. Since that time no remarkable event has taken place In the history of Siam.
SIAM. [SooLoo Aecrtrrmreo.] SlAWSK. [Oaxl.]