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“...August 5, 1902.)
The total value of the foreign trade of the port of Bangkok General
during the year 1901 was 7,172,353/, showing an increase
1,507,994/. over 1900. The average value of the dollar was lower ra e
in 1901, and the annual dollar value of the trade shows an increase
of 17,197,551 dol.
The bulk of this increase is in the exports, and is due to the
exceptionally large output of rice. Imports, however, show a
satisfactory advance also, and although the rice export, good as it
was, did not come up to that of 1893, the total value of the trade
is the highest yet recorded, that of 1893 only reaching 6,716,192/.
(the dollar at that time being reckoned at 2s. 7c/.).
The rate of exchange for 1901 has been taken in this report Exchange
Is. ll^d. per Mexican dollar, the average rate for the year; and
that for 1900 at Is. Ilfd.
The total value of exports from Bangkok to foreign countries Exports,
was 4,366,967/., an increase of 1,279,148/. over 1900. Tofcal value-
As mentioned above, and...”
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“...over the previous year, despite the fact that the total import
of teak into Europe from all countries in 1901 was only about
two-thirds of the import of 1900. Apart from shipbuilding, the
demand for teak in England for general purposes, building, furni-
ture, &c., is largely increasing, and many orders now come from
Europe for timber cut to special sizes.
The f.o.b. value of timber shipped from Siam was about 9?. per
ton for the European cargoes and 51. per ton all round for the
rest. The local market prices for rough logs obtaining during the
year showed a considerable falling-off, especially when the fall
in the exchange value of the tical is considered. Owing to
exchange it is difficult to arrive at the approximate average rate,
but probably from 3?. to 3?. 10s. is very near the price at which
some 10,000 or 12,000 tons changed hands.
As to the prospects of the teak export trade of Siam in the
immediate future it is difficult to speak, as opinions differ as to
the effect that the new Government...”
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“...escaping this increase, and that in this way many
inferior logs were sent down which did not produce timber fit for
export.
The teak trade, both in the forests and in Bangkok, continues
mainly in British hands. It is one which requires large capital,
and the small trader has been almost eliminated.
The heading marine products in Annex B include beche-de-
mer, dried and salt fish, fish maws, dried mussels and prawns,
shark fins, turtle shells and ray skins. The export of these shows
an increase in value of 36,7191. over the previous year.
The export of pepper was a large one, being much in advance
of that for 1900. The custom-house gives the export as 1,156
tons. This is probably a good deal in excess of the amount
actually exported. The customs derive their figures generally
from the export entries supplied by shippers, and in the case of
goods such as pepper, on which there is no export duty, shippers
frequently apply for permission, to export a quantity slightly in
excess of that which they...”
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“...here is
that the fruit in question only keeps fresh for about 15 days, after
which it is useless for dyeing.
Buffalo and cow-hides were exported (mostly to Singapore) to Hides,
the value of 26,340/., and deer-hides to the value of 5,760/.
Edible birds' nests, which are collected on certain islands in Birds nests,
the Gulf of Siam, were valued at 23,272/. The export went, of
course, to Hong-Kong and China.
Rough rubies and sapphires exported are estimated at 18,191/. Rubies and
About 585 tons of sticklac, worth 16,992/., were exported. g*^*8*
This product comes chiefly from the north of Siam.
The export of raw silk was valued at 16,641/. In 1900 it was Raw silk.
14,000/. The Government is at present giving some attention to
the methods adopted in the production of silk with a view to
improving its quality and value.
Among products which do not yet take a regular place in the Rubber,
exports of Siam, but for which there may be a future, is un-
doubtedly rubber. The question is now under con...”
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“...import from Singapore, the remarks
made below in connection with the figures given in Annex C must
be borne in mind.
Previous reports have enumerated the principal items of which
the imports consists, and there is nothing new to chronicle in this
respect.
The import of treasure (that is of gold and silver coin and gold
leaf) continues to show a decrease.
Steel, iron and machinery have again largely increased, the
import rising from 169,346^. to 246,954Z. The items were as
follows:
Articles. Value. Total.
£ £
Iron
Bar, angle bolt and rod ,, 10,529
Sheets and plates 19,262
Wire, wire-rope and cable ,. 11,252
Cast and manufactures thereof ,, 8,627
Wrought and manufactures thereof .. 63,678 113,348
Steel
Bars and plates .. .. .. .. 8,745
Manufactures of, unenurnerated 9,691 18,436
Machinery and parts thereof .. 115,170
Total 246,954
Machinery shows an increase of 37,843Z. over 1900. The
proportionate shares of the countries supplying these goods was
approximately as follows...”
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“...Singapore, but is mostly British in
origin.
Kerosene oil shows a falling-off of 33,823/. The import was
nearly all from Sumatra. A large amount of it was carried in
British bottoms.
Hardware and cutlery increased by 20,546/. Of the import,
44 per cent, is recorded as from Germany, 21 per cent, from the
United Kingdom, 18£ per cent, from Singapore, and 9^ per cent,
from Hong-Kong and China.
Among miscellaneous imports, foreign articles of clothing are
one of the largest items, amounting to 68,100/. in value. These...”
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“...Hong-Kong, represented a value of
40,510/.
The import of matches, nearly all of them of Japanese manu- Matches,
facture, was 31,190/.
Jewellery and precious stones was imported to the value of Jewellery
29,870/., of which 18,875/. came from the United Kingdom. Gold ^q1s\U9
and silverware (including plate) was 6,714/., of which our share
was 3,527/. Some 10,400/. worth of jewellery was re-exported,
having been brought on approval or for sale here and not dis-
posed of.
Planks, rafters and scantlings were imported from Singapore Wood,
for building purposes to the amount of 27,678/. in value. There is
plenty of wood in the forests of Siam equally suitable, and when the
forests are opened up and transport facilities are afforded, it will
probably take the place of wood imported from Singapore. At
present the extraction of native timber of this class appears to be
too expensive to pay.
Mattings and manufactures of rattan, bamboo and straw were Mattings,
imported to the value of 26,000/. Most of them...”
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“...
Tobacconists stores, such as manufactured tobacco, cigars and
cigarettes were imported to the value of 23,459/. They came from
nearly every part of the world, the largest imports being from Hong-
Kong (11,779/.), Singapore (3,948/.) and the United Kingdom
(2,007/.). The great majoritj' of the tobacco smoked in the country is
native-grown, and the use of foreign tobacco is mainly restricted to
the chief towns. Small cardboard packets of cheap cigarettes are
popular. Other tobacconists stores were imported valued at 2,994/.
Brass and brassware, mostly from Hong-Kong, was valued at
21,000/.
12,375 tons of coal were imported of the value of 20,240/. The
import was divided as follows:
Country.
Quantity.
Japan
United Kingdom
Singapore ..
Hong-Kong..
Holland *
Belgium
Tons.
4,712
3,501
2,404
1,138
420
200
Paints, colours and dye-stuffs come mainly from Singapore and
the United Kingdom. Their value was 19,500/.
The extensive building which has been going on in Bangkok
for some time has caused...”
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“...custom- house with a view to showing the importations from Singapore apportioned to the various countries of production. This was carried out under the following conditions. The country of origin was obtained from the marks on the goods. In a few cases the goods wTere unmarked and were not included. No par- ticular time was taken, but entries taken of portions of the months of March and April to the value of 1,201,302 dol. 33 c. (Mexican) were dealt with, this sum being about 10 per cent, of the total importation from Singapore per annum. The result was as follows:
Country of Origin. Value in Mexican Dollars.
i Dol. o.
United Kingdom 1 1 604,765 15
India j 253,907 8
Dutch East Indies 123,377 41
Germany.. ' 87,742 85
Other countries .. 131,509 84
Total.. .. c. 1,201,302 33
That is to say, these countries had the following percentages
(approximately) of this import of 1,201,3 02 dol. 33 c.:
Country. Percentage.
United Kingdom .. 50*35
India 21*10
Dutch East Indies 10-25
7-30...”
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“...BANGKOK.
19
Annex B.Return of Principal Articles of Export from Bangkok
during the Years 1900-01.
Articles. 1900. 1901.
Quantity. Value. 1 Quantity. Value.
Rice .. Tons 414,544 £ 2,225,470 684,924 £ 3,484,263 240,864
Teak .. 45,26 L 324,748 43,735
Marine products i )j 13,669 121,821 18,650 158,540
Pepper >> 699 46,640 20,115 1,156 82,968
Treasure .. .. 46,210
Bullocks Head 15,938 48,524 i 10,396 33,298
Woods, other than teak Tons 7,483 31,724 i 6,800 29,818
Other articles.. 268,777 291,006
Total 3,087,819 4,366,967
Return of Principal Articles of Import into Bangkok during
the Years 1900-01.
Articles. 1900. 1901.
Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.
Cotton goods £ 409,058 £ 539,094
Treasure.. .. 336,304 .. 291,809
Steel, iron and machinery ,. 169,346 246,954
Gunny bags .. .. 91,432 135,626
Opium .. Chests 1,567 141,149 1,472 125,064
Silk goods ,, 128,177 114,673
Sugar ,. , , 101,819 83,807
Cotton yarn Bales .. 7,013 53,260 97,887 9,753 72,168
Kerosene.. ...”
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“...Annex C.Table showing Total Value of all Articles Exported
from and Imported into Bangkok to and from Foreign
Countries during the Years 1900-01.
Country. Exports. Imports.
1900. 1901. 1900. 1901.
£ £ £ £
Singapore 1,428,320 1,968,518 963,812 1,156,408
Hong-Kong 1,161,324 1,684,276 684,074 630,610
United Kingdom 88,564 50,660 274,170 335,261
India 114,321 72,477 98,259 127,566
G-ermany 2,301 1,199 75 242,071 141,913 207,892
China .. 8,678 141,319 99,373
Dutch East Indies 4,642 77,143 66,068
United States ,. 308 5,985 22,520 20,294
Cochin China .. 14,325 11,563 10,112 9,060
Europe (destination un- known) 258,715 291,357
Other countries 18,367 26,740 153,218 152,944
Total 3,087,819 4,366,967 2,576,540 2,805,386
LONDON:
Printed for His Majestys Stationery Office,
By HARRISON AND SONS,
Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty.
(1400 9 | 02H & S 162)...”
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