404 
Chapter XIV. 
CRIMINAL LAW. * 
* - 
The government of Siam is wholly despotic and the nod of ma¬ 
jesty is sufficient to abrogate the wisest laws and to seal the fate of 
a victim,; nor can justice there, from the laxity of principle existing 
amongst the men in authority, flow in a smooth channel even where 
not checked by any politic or malignant feelings actuating the Sove¬ 
reign. 
The Chinese are notorious in the east for the exercise of judicial 
cruelties, inconsistent certainly in some measure with the state of 
civilization to which they have arrived, and with their freedom from 
fanaticism, but perfectly according with the placid selfishness which 
marks every feature of their character. 
The Siamese are a far less refined people, but their punishments 
do not on the whole appear of quite so devilish a character, and it is 
known that pride has not yet steeled their minds against many hu¬ 
mane feelings. We must lay the formation of the criminal code and 
its punishments to the charge of their more barbarous ancestors. 
8. To the Clerk who goes to hear the depositions and note 
them down. •• •• *• •• •• •• 
If he should have to stop a day or a night on the road, .. 
9. If several witnesses are examined for each party, he takes, 
for each, 
10. Copies of the depositions or examinations of the two parties 
for handing up to the judge. To the Judge, 4 * 
Clerk, 4 S 
11. The Governor or Judge to sit in the Hall of Justice, 
12. Each of the other individuals on the bench or Ocpra, .. 
13. TheOkLouang,. 
14. The Registrar, . 
15. Collation for the Councillors. 
and 
16. When the law has to be consulted. 
To the Councillor expounding or reading it, called Pang, 
17. Articles expended during the suit, 
l. 
White cloth, all 5 ells long. 
'X « J 
2. 
5 lbs. of Rice. 
& if 
3. 
A taper of yellow wax. 
G> V 
rfs « > 
4. 
Five quids of areca and betel leaf. 
« o / 
5. 
One fowl. 
w & V 
CO I 
6. 
Two jars of arrack. 
Cu } 
7 
Some flowers and a mat. 
I have not put this part of the subject under a separate part 
the Civil and Criminal laws of Siam are mixed up together. 
1 „ 
8 
5 ) 
i> 
5 
3 
3 
3 
5 ? 
11 
» 
because 
