DEFENCE — PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY 1275
The principal sources of revenue in 1918-19 were: castoms duties, 524,381/. ; excise, 811,716/. ; land revenue and capitation taxes, 1,32^.314/. ; railways, 711,860/. ; posts, telegraphs aud telephones, 841,923/. ; state lands and forests, 809,984/. ; opium, 1,649,570?.
On March 31, 1921, the total national debt amounted to 7,312,590/., made up as follows : — 3,880,0007. owing to the Government of the Federated Malay States (loan of 4,750,000/. borrowed in 1909), 3,432,560/. out of the 1905 debt (1,000,000/.) and the 1907 debt (3,000,000/.). All these loans were made for, and spent on, works of public utility.
A British officer occupies the position of Financial Adviser, and there are numerous other British officers holding high advisory positions under the Government, more especially iu the Finance and Audit, Revenue, Forests, Survey, Police, Justice, Customs, Mining, Mint, and Education depart- ments. There are also a number of Europeans of other nationalities in various Departments. The financial position of the kingdom is favourable, the revenue is steadily increasing, and the expenditure is less than the revenue, and well under control.
Defence.
Universal liability to military service on the European model is now in force in all the provinces including Bangkok ; the terms are, from IS to 20 in the active army, from 20 to 25 in the first reserve, from 25 to 35 in the second reserve, and from 35 to 45 in the third reserve. Exemptions have been abolished, but personal service is not enforced in the case of the uncivilised tribes. The army is organised in ten divisions, each consisting in peace time of 2 regiments of infantry of 2 battalions, 1 cavalry regiment of 2 squadrons, 2 four-gun batteries, divisional troops, engineers, transport, medical, etc. In war the division expands to consist of 2 regiments each of 8 battalions, 1 cavalry regiment of 3 squadrons, 3 batteries, 1 engineer, and 1 transport battalion. The infantry are armed with a special pattern of Mauser, the artillery with 75 mm. quick-firing mountain gnus. The peace strength is over 20,000 men, organised for administrative purposes into 3 Army Corps and 1 independent division. In war time the divisions are grouped into Army Corps according to strategical requirements. Aviation schools were started in 1914, and a Flying Corps has been formed.
To the small naval force, which includes a light cruiser and some gun- boats, three modern despatch vessels and the ex- British destroyer Radiant, renamed Phra Ruan, have been added. There are 5,000 men available for service afloat, besides a reserve of 20,000. The marine infantry, recruited from the inhabitants of the maritime provinces, between 18 and 40 years of age, numbers 15,000 in six shifts, besides a 1st and 2nd reserve 3,000 and 2,000 respectively.
At the mouth of the Menam River are the Paknam forts. The bar prevents ships of more than 13 feet draught from ascending to Bangkok. The naval arsenal dock has recently been reconstructed.
The military and naval expenditure for 1918-19 amounted to 1,401,677/.
Production and Industry.
Forced labour is still exacted from the rural population, but recent enactments have made calls lor it far less frequent, and a poll-tax, varying in amounts in the different districts, is now levied on all adult males with
