398 
COURTS OF JUDICATURE. 
The Siamese have presidents over the decisions and consultations 
of the various Courts. But they have no distinct Courts for the in- 
vestigatioh of criminal cases. The King who is Chau Mh-ung or 
lord of the country is also its chief judge. To him appeals can be 
made from any court, and before passing sentence he hears the de¬ 
bates of the law officers.* Governors of provinces exercise the three¬ 
fold duty of rulers, judges, and magistrates, but they cannot prevent 
appeals and complaints from reaching the King, unless with the con¬ 
nivance of their Councils, which is not likely to happen often, since 
these last are established checks on their conduct, and in fact, spies. 
These Governors are called Chau Mii-ungf or lord of the dis¬ 
tricts or Countries. They govern by right, participate with the King 
in the revenues, impose fines, levy extraordinary taxes, and are, in 
fact, despotic to such an extent as shall not, they believe, subject them 
to punishment from the court. When they disgrace themselves, they 
are frequently supplanted by Po?’ang , who are officers of an inferior 
rank, and who govern agreeably to positive and specific instructions 
transmitted from court. They have fixed salaries. 
The late raja of Ligor, was a Chau Mri-ung, which may account 
for the general independence he displayed since the invasion by him 
of Kedah in 1822. 
A Chad Mii-ung is considered as lowering himself if he trades. 
But he evades it by trading in the name of one of his household. 
The titles of the officers of Justice vary considerably at different 
periods. 
The following list has been made out from statements in the di¬ 
gests of the number and rank of officers who at various periods have 
* The King is chief judge in his Capital 
44 Ail appeals go to the Resident of the tribunal there, the Yumrat [Yom- 
marat] he sits in the King palace, he judges in the king’s absence, an appeal 
lying to the king. In the case of the kings absence the proceedings resem¬ 
ble those in the provincial courts ; the king examines all the opinions and 
questions and then relevance before he passes judgment.”—31. de la Lou- 
bere’s Siam, p. 88. 
T Louberechap. iv. 
