Chapter XVI. 
ADULTERY, 
should, according to the letter of the law be punished in every in¬ 
stance by death. But in general its infliction is not insisted on, be¬ 
ing commuted by a heavy mulct, and minor punishments, which last 
are suffered almost exclusively by the woman. 
The Adulteress is decked out in garlands of bright coloured flow¬ 
ers, and a mask of basket work is drawn over her face. In this at¬ 
tire she is led through the streets. Should however her age be un¬ 
der sixteen years, she can escape this degradation by payment of a 
fine of about 20 dollars, which will be appropriated to furnish pro- 
vender for the King’s Elephants [as if the crime contaminated tlie 
fine.] 
While a faithless wife is thus liable to a severer punishment than 
the partner in her crime, the chaste one has no recourse at law a- 
gainst a faithless husband, but if he acts otherwise contrary to law, 
she may complain against him. A husband will also stand excused 
in the eye of the law should he kill his wife and her paramour, un¬ 
der circumstances sufficiently decisive of her guilt. But he may not 
do so having once allowed the man to escape, and it may presumed, 
where the offender lias power on his side, that the inferior will not 
venture on a step which must end in his ruin. The Siamese men 
are not remarkable for jealousy, and owing to this circumstance the 
women are disposed to chastity. 
The Kot P,hra Jyakaan contains numerous passages illustrative 
of the law as applicable to specific instances of Adultery ; the princi¬ 
pal of which it will only be requisite to notice. 
It is stated that a PJircea Thai nam (the title of an offieer who 
waits on the King’s person when he goes abroad) had seduced the 
wife of KJioon Ampjian ya song k,hraan, and that the defendant 
had been sentenced to pay a fine of 20 chaang of silver or about £200. 
This sentence the King pronounced to be too lenient, and to prevent 
such a recurrence ordered a scale of fines to be drawn out which 
should be applicable to all ranks in the state, The Chau Krom, and 
