Page:The kingdom and people of Siam - with a narrative of the mission to that country in 1855 (IA b29352447 0001).pdf/206

 Bail. Bail is required both from plaintiff and defendant before the case is commenced by the "K'un San;" and in case of either party not appearing, the bail is held responsible for him. Bail is not allowed in criminal cases. Punishments. Decapitation is awarded for treason, murder, aggravated robberies, piracy, and arson.* Coining is punished by cutting off the right hand of the actual coiner, and the fingers of the man who passed the bad money. Most of those who suffer this punishment die, in consequence of the ignorance of the doctors. Debtors are imprisoned, or work in irons for the King, during the pleasure of the creditor. If, even by accident, a house should catch fire, the owner of it is seized, and led through the town, three days on shore and three days on the river. He is obliged to repeat, every few minutes, "My house caught fire; take care, and be warned by me." He is then, if rich, put into prison, and only released by paying a heavy fine. This severity is not unneces- sary in Bangkok. One peculiarity of the judges may be mentioned here. Every nobleman has a certain number of "marks of dignity" (it is impossible to convey the exact idea by any corresponding phraseology). If a nobleman insult another of the same rank, but hold- ing a greater number of "marks of dignity," he is considered as insulting his superior, and punished accordingly. The judges, in order to preserve them * Princes of the blood-royal are put to death either by strangulation, or beating them to death with clubs. No royal blood must fall to the ground.