Page:The kingdom and people of Siam - with a narrative of the mission to that country in 1855 (IA b29352447 0001).pdf/205

 they pass it over to P'RA RACHANICHAI. He decides to what department it belongs. The courts of the various departments are named K'UN SAN. Of these there are four-viz., LAW-COURTS-BRIBERY. (1) Chau P'aya Kralahom's. This department takes cognizance of cases belonging to the Southern Provinces. (2) Chau P'aya Nikorabudin's court entertains cases belonging to the Northern Provinces. (3) Chau P'aya P'ra Klang's court entertains cases relating to the Foreign department. (4) Chau P'aya Yumaret, criminal cases. The "K'un San" are the courts in which the whole proceedings of a case are carried through, embracing the examining witnesses, receiving bail, &c. Bribery is said to flourish from the judge down to the lowest clerk, all have their price. The judges in these courts are the only lawyers in the kingdom, and generally exceedingly clever men. The case being finished, it is sent back to the "Luk K'un" for decision. The decision is then handed to the "P'ra Krai Si," or "P'ra Krai Lem," officers whose duty it is to deliver the sentence: this sentence they also put in force after it has been approved of by the King. Appeal. Appeal is allowed, not against the de- cision, but against the sentence. This appeal is made to the King.* * During a certain part of one day in the week, the King sits in public for the purpose of receiving complaints. As, of course, he is far above the people, he lets down a small case, into which the paper containing the com- plaint is put, and his Majesty draws it up with a cord and reads it.