Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/733

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SIAM.

(Schan. — Thai.)

Government, Revenue, and Army.

The form of government of Siam is feudal in character, and simi- lar to that of Japan. The essence of political power rests with a number of hereditary chieftains, owners of the land, while the general legislative and executive authority is vested in two kings, the first of whom is the real occupant of the throne. In recent times, the two dignities have been frequently filled by father and son.

First King of Siam. — Chcm Fa Chula Longkorn, born 1823, eldest son of the late First King, Somdel Phra Paramanda; succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, October 1, 1868.

Second King of Siam. — Kromamum Baivarawichai Chan, born 1842, eldest son of the present First King ; succeeded as Second King on the elevation of his father to the throne, October 1, 1868.

The Second King has a court, ministers, and also an army of his own, and royal honours are paid to him on all occasions. He is also exempt from the customary prostration before the First King, instead of which he salutes him by raising hands in the air. But he cannot draw from the royal treasury without permission of his colleague, and, on thewhole v is regarded as the chief subject of the First King. The public revenue is estimated at about 3,145,000/. sterling a year ; of which sum, the poll-tax and fines for non-service in the army produce 2,500,000/. ; the land-tax, 287,000/. ; tax on fruit trees, &c, 65,000/. ; on pepper, 50,000/. ; on spirits and gambling, about 57,000/. each ; and the customs, 33,000/. The tax collectors receive no salary, being remunerated by a tithe of the revenue realised. The expenditure is stated to keej:> within the receipts.

There is no standing army, but a general armament of the people, in the form of a militia. Every male inhabitant, from the age of 21 upwards, is obliged to serve the State for four months a year. The following individuals are, however, exempted : — mem- bers of the priesthood, the Chinese settlers, who pay a commu- tation tax, slaves, public functionaries, the fathers of three sons liable to service, and those who purchase exemption by a fine of from six to eight ticals a month, or by furnishing a slave or some other person not subject to the conscription, as a substitute. It is stated that the Government possesses upwards of 80,000 stand of arms, besides a considerable stock of cannon.