Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 144 (1952).djvu/32

8 Order in Council repealing the Siam Orders in Council, 1925 and 1926, relating to the jurisdiction of His Majesty The King within the dominions of the King of Siam.—Londn, February 22, 1940

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 22nd day of February, 1940

PRESENT: THE KING’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL

WHEREAS by treaty, capitulation, grant, usage, sufferage and other lawful means His Majesty the King had jurisdiction within the dominions of the King of Siam:

And whereas by a Protocol signed, on July 14, 1925, behalf of His Majesty and His Majesty the King of Thailand (Siam) provision was made for the cessation and determination of the system of jurisdiction formerly established in Thailand (Siam) for British subjects and the privileges, exemptions and immunities then enjoyed by British subjects in Thailaand (Siam);

And whereas it was further provided by the said Protocol that for the period therein prescribed the jurisdiction of His Majesty’s diplomatic and consular officials in Thailand (Siam should continue for the purpose of trying cases evoked from the Thai (Siamese) Courts in accordance with the said Protocol and of executing any judgments which might be rendered therein;

And whereas by notes dated July 14 and August 5, 1925, it was agreed between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Thai (Siamese) Government that the existing system of British consular probate jurisdiction in Thailand (Siam) with respect to non-contentious probate matters should continue until such time as a new Thai (Siamese) law should have been promulgated dealing with the question of succession and probate;

And whereas such a law has now been promulgated;

And whereas further, by notes exchanged between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Thai (Siamese) Government on November 23, 1937, the aforesaid right of evocation has been relinquished;