 ports of coal Far at the world's end Strange fascinating lands back in us bid us revel in their exotic splendors Come with us as we head for ports of coal Come with us across the Pacific across the China Sea Where Asia points the narrow finger of the Malay Peninsula toward the fabled Isles of the Indies There we find our port of coal Siam from Singapore our steamer plows northward up to straight to Penang A picturesque port which sprawls torpid in the tropic sun There we disembark to take a train of the Federated Malay States Railroad bound for Bangkok Bangkok the Venice of the Orient Interlaced with numberless canals or clans a city of amazing contradictions of broad avenues and luxurious buildings of miserable hovels and squalid muddy lanes a crossroad of humanity set at the end of the earth Here are placid Chinese and swarthy Malays Swave Europeans from the legations and tan young Englishmen and Americans down for a holiday from the teak forest to the north and Everywhere the yellow robes of the priests bright symbols of the gentle Buddha of long ago But suppose we rejoin our fellow travelers in the hotel lounge at the end of their first day in Bangkok tired What a day. Where did you go my dear? Oh just everywhere. I feel like Alice in Wonderland when she said curious sir and curious sir We were over on the left bank in the telat clue the battle leaf market Oh, and I was looking at a little good luck charm and the storekeeper practically made me buy it He almost gave it to me because he said I had a lucky face And that's not all we were crossing one of the smaller canals while the tide was out and the bottom was all mud And there were fish actually walking along on their fins come now aren't you putting our leg No on my honor and the guy told me about another fish that captures insects by spitting at them And he wanted me to bet on a fight between two minnows Funny about superstitions here My guide was convinced there was a ghost in every tree and he was in a very devil of a predicament Seems as a specially sacred tree so sacred that it's forbidden to have one in a private garden But the blooming thing so as to tell far and wide and the poor chap's got one in his garden and doesn't know what to do It's against his faith to have one and it's against his faith to pull one up It's an amazing country. Oh, it certainly is. I've worked my camera over time all day too bad They built so many european type houses on this side of canal though Oh, but there's still a lot of the old siamese style on stilts with broad verandas and such Paneling and there's funny roofs like pagodas. Well, I'd like to stay longer, but I'm off to Chiang Mai in the morning 27 hours by rail It sounds like the end of the world probably quite decent all the teak fellows get in regularly There's golf and tennis and polo and the right enough club for tiffin and those american cocktails Probably as a chap probably gets bored after a while same faces all the time, you know Oh, but I could never be bored with siam. It's too amazing Siam The name calls forth an image of yellow rivers and stagnant canals Of forgotten temples drowsing in the matted jungle Siam land of the white elephant So remote and aloof from the world that she seems changeless One of the things which always was and always will be Yet let us unroll the scroll of the past Six centuries before christ Chinese history records wars with the barbarians the tai people who lived south of the yangsik yang In later centuries the tai people formed the powerful kingdom of nun chow And continued their wars with china until they were finally conquered by the great kublakon in 1253 This conquest resulted in a wholesale emigration to the inhospitable jungles of the south Where the remnants of the tai people Exterminated the original inhabitants or destroyed the strain by intermarriage Thus was siam founded to doze in obscurity until one summer in 1612 Then at batani Behold from the great white winged canoe a smaller canoe has taken sail and heads for the shore Once before such a canoe came out of the endless water. I believe it not nevertheless It is true the husband of my third sister saw it Those who manned the canoe were white of skin and fair of hair They bore rare gifts which they were willing to trade for such trifles as ivory jade and teak wood So Make a fast lad. I either all right at the end. We'll disembark Keep an eye on those even never can tell Even land or not sir feels good underfoot after such a voyage At least our wager. They've got fresh water and fruit Welcome to our humble shores and greetings greetings to you I am captain answer the hymn of the good ship flowed lying yonder and from whence do you come from england? I know it not. Oh, do I my country is far away beyond the sea beyond berma I beyond berma many many days beyond What brings you to our shores trade? We would trade that which we bring for those things you have I would build a post here and leave my companion Peter florist to conduct the trading what thank you. It is a matter for the king. I I would visit your king. I bear greeting to him from my sovereign song May he live forever is it a youth here and the globe sits sails for a youth here at once florist Yes, sir. You and berk and jarvis remain here and build a post when I return I'll have a charter You are proud captain ipan it is not quite time for the audience When his majesty is gracious enough to grant an audience What man would not be prompt captain ipan I do not know the custom in your country But in our country when the king approaches one must prostrate himself. So I understand Is illustrious highness song fan brother of the sun and the moon lord of the forests and rivers Guardian of the hundred white elephant illustrious highness your majesty you may rise Captain hip-hop you are welcome to my kingdom You may sit at my right hand your majesty I bring words of greeting from my sovereign james first of england So Your king has heard of me. Yes your majesty The splendors of your court and the glories of your reign are known to him. It is where your majesty Yes, captain hip-hop. There is a matter of commerce You may speak Nature has lavished upon syam goods which we of england have not Rare woods and spices and gems And on my ship. I carry english goods not known in your country I wish to establish a post for trading to our mutual benefit. I am sorry captain hip-hop But syam has ever been sufficient to herself It is better. So everywhere in syam. I have heard the people refer to your majesty As the just king it pleases me that my subjects have sold in me and there are wars to be waged Yes Always there are wars with our neighbors of berma and cambodia Wars cost many tickles which the people may pay in taxes It is ever so though. I like not to tax my people too heavily The plan has come to me I propose to establish trade in such a manner That the revenues will accrue to your majesty Thus there will be no jealousy among your subjects And the revenues from european trade will enable your majesty to carry on the wars without taxing the people For achieving victory over your enemies without the burden of taxation You will indeed be proclaimed the just king You are persuasive captain hip-hop I am minded to open trade on the conditions you suggest If your majesty will grant a charter it shall be done In what name shall I give this charter the name matters little Suppose we call it the british east india company And so was organized the great british east india company an empire within an empire A corporation which was to play an all important part in the colonial development of england The land of the white elephant had become another pawn in the game of empire The game of empire It was a sport for titans the real players were old men in london paris amsterdam But missionaries and traitors were their puppets The rules of the game were simple to tilt the balance of power toward one's own country To see how well they played one has but to look at the map of asia today Look at the map of asia and see little syam independent surrounded by european colonies A white elephant is an unwieldy pawn Late in the 17th century the british and french were bitterly opposed for control of syam While the dutch already tightening their hold upon the indies Dreamed of gaining that control for themselves while the traditional enemies were deadlocked Into this picture of intrigue and diplomacy came falcon the barcelon Born in Greece falcon ran away from home and became a cabin boy at the age of 10 In 1675 he arrived in syam as a trader He rescued a shipwreck syamese ambassador to persia and through this circumstance Became superintendent of foreign trade and later minister of finance and practical dictator under king narai And with growing power the number of his enemies grew King narai and pra patrasia heir to the throne are seated in the audience chamber You may speak your majesty It is the honorable john wellman of the british east india company who would address you He may do so pra patrasia you may address his majesty your majesty on behalf of the british east india company I asked that our vessels be granted the same privileges in the port of mergueille as our grant of the french That is the matter for the barcelon But uh, if your majesty, please the falcon the barcelon is antagonistic to my company's interests Possibly he has reason for that antagonism I remember not many years ago When the british east india company was itself Shall we say antagonistic to falcon the barcelon? He was not so important then Uh your majesty will not grant what we ask I neither grant nor deny you must see falcon the barcelon but your majesty the audience has ended May your majesty live forever For our patrasia, I have told you not to bother me with such trifles Elastius highness, you know my loyalty I do But then may my loyalty permit me to speak boldly Speak Among the europeans and among our own people it is said that narai is king in name only That falcon the foreigner is really king Such idleness things are fit only for toothless eggs I have given falcon much power and he has used it wisely What the concessions he grants to the french the french pay well for those concessions I fear that it is cyan that will pay dearly in the end Tra patrasia falcon the barcelon is my trusted minister He has served me well If you are loyal to me, I would prove my loyalty with my life If you are loyal to me, you must pledge to falcon the same loyalty as long as I live I pledge loyalty to falcon the barcelon as long as you live The conflict between british and french interests for the control grew steadily in intensity With falcon because of his hatred of the british east india company inclining more and more to the french Then one significant day colbert louis 14th minister to syam calls at falcon's palace in high spirits All gun marami. I have news happy news. And what is that his majesty louis has bestowed upon you a great honor behold I do not read your language very well. What does it say? With his greeting louis makes you a count of the court of france. How does that sound? The con falcon chevalier de france the con falcon. That sounds very good Much better than falcon the cabin boy or falcon the filibuster factor account of the french court That will give those stiff englishmen something to think about in his letter louis calls you his friend He knows your wealth even if the english do not falcon the friend over king of france I must send his majesty a fine gift to show that falcon appreciates the honor he has bestowed upon me What shall it be now? Carved ivory perhaps or some ancient jade from the temples. I have a still better idea What is that? You know, of course how the accursed british have been trying to win away the french trade concessions in the ports of bankock and mergue They have tried but i have blocked them every time I have a plan that will block them for good And will it the same time show your appreciation to louis? What is the plan? Deed the ports of bankock and mergue to france. Really my friend colbert That seems drastic does it to not? No, it's really just a matter of phone You give these ports to france you as counter funds retain control Holding these ports france would have to pay for their defense Saving money for syam, yet the following the same outlets for syamese goods What do you say or the nobles would rise in anger? They head to me in office it is for you care. You are the minister. Already they plot against me Proper treasure and the others they plot and they wait their time But you are nearest the king's ear and what i suggest is for best of syam The nobles will not think so, but it will drive the british east india company from syam Falcon has never feared to take a bold step You may inform his majesty that in recognition of the honor he has conferred upon me I deed to him the ports of bankock and mergue With the announcement of these astounding concessions to the french Resentment against falcon flares openly in the syamese court And only the staunch support of king narai saves the barcelon Dark undercurrents of plotting and intrigue flow everywhere and falcon's downfall is the objective of every plot Secured in the confidence of the king and the promise protection of the french falcon pays little heed to his enemies until king narai is suddenly seized by dropsy In his palace falcon awaits word of the expected arrival of the french who may have summoned to assist him Rapatrage will not dare to strike until the king is dead Ah well No use to worry Donna Did the cooks prepare a meal some fish with rice and curry and spices and some shredded coconut Did you hear me? I said bid the cooks prepare a meal Hurry or i'll have you flogged. Oh, I I cannot master. What do you mean? The servants have all left. They they were afraid left Now let them leave. They'll know that falcon isn't beaten yet In miserable scum when the french arrive What is that? See the barcelon Is he made fast? Yes, highness. What does this mean? You are held for treason When the king hears of this he knows of it I am king you mean exactly narai is dead But I am innocent of treason rapatrage No need to worry falcon. I'm not going to kill you just yet That information pleases you does it not It might please you less if I were to tell you the french soldiers are not coming to your rescue You're but the french are my friends. I am a count of francs indeed But the french commander the phage is also a man of fine discretion He was turned back by news of narai's death. He knew he could only arrive too late to save you Oh, but I am innocent. I tell you punish me if you will but spare my life I shall spare your life my good friend I shall spare it long enough to devise a suitable method of killing you Oh, proper treasure don't no don't Killed me if you must but let it be swift. You may be certain falcon that I shall kill you And as horrible a manner as I can devise And your death will be a signal for the slaying or expulsion of every european in the nation It will be proper treasure's message to the world that siam is for the siamese So ended the most serious threat of european domination of siam Throughout his reign proper tragic continued a vigorous policy of european persecution Missionaries were imprisoned and driven from the country the ceded ports were regained Both french and english garrisons were destroyed Finally only a very few dutch and portuguese remained on sufferance Siam was again sufficient unto herself living in a world apart a world not unlike that of the arabian knights Throughout the years little change occurred to quicken the pulse of the white elephant Small brown men continued to fish the muddy jungle-lined rivers Other brown men in robes of blue green orange and yellow walked the streets of Bangkok During the world war siam set a small but efficient force to fight on the side of the allies Into the treaty of versia woodrow wilson forced to claws guaranteeing the sovereignty of siam In 1925 Bajaripat ascended the elephant throne Slight earnest man in whom the ancient culture of the east was adorned with the trappings of western education In june 1932 while the king was away on a holiday The army and navy under the leadership of colonel fye faho Poured into Bangkok and seized the reins of government Bajaripat hurriedly returns to confer with the revolutionary leader What does this mean cannell the army is in control your highness The princes who had your department of state have been imprisoned There was no bloodshed and I Am I also imprisoned? No, your highness The army does not wish to take you from the throne. What then is it that you wish? We have drawn up a constitution which we request you to sign It will give siam a modern constitutional government With myself as premier for a long while I have sought the means to give the people control of the government This is the aim of the constitution your highness But I should not wish a military dictatorship under the constitution The army will remain the servant of your highness and of the people When my dynasty was founded 150 years ago It was predicted that it would end in this year The constitution your highness The prediction is fulfilled I will sign In September 1934 while the king was living in Elmshade at Noh's house in Surrey, England Recuperating from a cataract operation The national assembly of siam demanded that he surrender his monarchial power of life and death Which had been allowed him by the constitution He refused under threat of abdication On march 2nd 1935 delegates of the siamese government again visit Surrey As your majesty reconsidered his refusal to relinquish the power of life and death You mean the power of pardon As your majesty pleases His national assembly is not unreasonable We do not wish that you completely relinquish Your present right to pardon anyone convicted of death within 60 days after sentence We merely ask that you share that power with the premier So that in the case of political prisoners The premier need only to continue the argument 60 days And the execution would take place against my wishes No, I will not submit to such a dictatorship In that event your highness I have already prepared my abdication I am too ill to help and protect my people And I cannot allow any party to carry on the administration this way under cover of my name I have tried to give the people a real voice in the policy of the country They didn't get it I abdicate in favor of my nephew prince Ananda Mahidal Your highness I am your highness no longer That reminds me maybe the english and american newspapers Who stopped referring to me as brother of the moon and prince of the 24 umbrellas The 11 year old prince Ananda Mahidal is at school in Switzerland When a court of delegation calls upon him to inform him he is king of Siam Your highness Your highness Reply to the gentleman like a good boy How do you do gentlemen The formalities are very simple If your highness will just read a brief statement which we have presumed to prepare Read it aloud Ananda It is with a deep sense of responsibility That I accept this honor which has been bestowed upon me I pledge myself to serve my country faithfully To support the Constitutional Constitutional government In accepting the throne of Siam I dedicate my life to the service of its people May I go out and play now mademoiselle Is that all gentlemen Yes that is all You can play now Ananda But not for long Say goodbye to the gentlemen Goodbye Your highness We must cable bank up at once Yes Goodbye mademoiselle But why are you crying No it's silly I know gentlemen You'll follow me but here put a little key New horizons beckon and we depart from the land of the white elephant Our minds are kaleidoscope of fragrant lotus blossoms on slimy pools Peasants bathing openly to proudly display the luxury of soap Grave little dancers like grotesque dolls in the temples And as we leave Bangkok and follow the yellow river to the sea We realize that while kings and governments are fleeting things The rivers and the jungles and the temples are ageless and unchanging And they are Siam a strange far country in the modern world but not of it We invite you to join us again next week in this time As we journey to another of the world's fascinating ports of call