330 
INTR6D UCTORY CHAPTER. 
a people so circumstanced, or of the laws and institutions affecting* 
them. It is plain that, whether forced to it or otherwise, we must 
occasionally from our proximity have intercourse with this people. 
To those who relish the task of comparing the Codes of the vari¬ 
ous Eastern nations, these pages may possibly be of use. 
It is likewise presumed that the principles of Siamese Law will 
prove; to be pretty fair transcripts Of the Codes prevalent in north 
and south Laos, and Camboja, and probably of the Ava Code, 
It may be premised that the practice of following precedents has 
made it easy to evade the law in many instances; hence custom will 
occasionally in Siam be found at variance with the Law, a fact noted 
by M. De la Loubere in 1C88.* 
If it should be found that the Siamese Laws are of Hindu origin, 
we have yet no sure clue by which to trace all the steps of their pro¬ 
gress from Hindoostan. The Siamese seem to have no distinct Bali 
Code of Civil or Criminal Law. But they are abundantly supplied 
with Bali Ordinances for the regulation of their moral conduct •, and 
for the due performance of religious Duties and Rites. —It'may pro¬ 
bably however be found, as I am inclined to believe it will be, that 
Bali Codes do exist in Siam. 
The Digests in the Thai language are numerous. A new one has 
generally been issued at the beginning of, or, during each successive 
reign. But such a practice has not been induced so much by a de¬ 
sire to innovate, as by feelings of ostentation; for the repeals, altera¬ 
tions and qualifications of the old Laws are few. Many additions 
have however been made at these periods. 
It is requisite that some account should he given here of the Di¬ 
gests which form the groundwork of this dissertation. 
It may be observed, at the same time, that Oral Authorities orr 
points where information was deficient m the Digests have been 
consulted, amongst the natives of the country. 
The accounts which have been given of Siam by Loubere and 
: “ The Siamese say that their Laws came from Laos.” This was a 
matter of course as the Siamese nation was itself a colony from Laos.— M. 
De La Loubere’s Siam p. 9. 
