Page 71 - A History of Siam

A BISTORT OF SUM 67

to be assaulted in the of an executioner, a
presence
bootmaker, and a hermaphrodite.
2. The Law on Offences the Government
against
(A.D. 1351).
This law severe for offences
provides very penalties
the but not so severe as
against Government, perhaps
those in vogue in Europe at the same period.
An official who stole Government money was liable to
one of eight punishments : (i) death, (2) degradation,
strokes with a to be reduced to
(3) twenty-five rattan, (4)
the of a a fine to three times
position commoner, (5) equal
the amount
stolen, (6) a fine of double the amount stolen,
to be
(7) to refund the amount stolen, (8) suspended
from his functions.
This law, however, showed care for the common
people as well as for the King's Government. An
official who or those to his
oppressed despoiled subjected
control was liable to be punished by death or by flogging,
or to undergo other severe penalties.
The Law on Plaints
3. Receiving (A.D. 1355).
This law fines for offences similar to Cham-
provides
and Maintenance.
perty
"
It contains some curious : If
provisions, e.g. any
worthless and unfilial man to a case
attempts bring
against his parents or grandparents, let him be soundly
as an to others
flogged example ; and his claim shall not
be admitted."
4. The Law on Abduction (A.D. 1356).
This law deals with offences such as the abduction of
the wives, daughters, and more especially the slaves, of
others. It is as showing that
particularly interesting
was a and established
slavery widely spread strongly
institution in Rama T'ibodi's realm. As we have
King
seen in the northern Siamese of
Chapter HI, Kingdom