Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-04-27
PUNISHMENT IN SIAM.
Barbarous Cruelties That are Prac-
ticed on Criminals.

Although the King of Siam styles
himself a civilized monarch and his
small kingdom has been undergoing
a regenerating process, the traveller
in that strange country will still find
relics of barbarism. Among the most
curious practices still in vogue are
those for the punishment of criminals.
Men are often subjected to severe
punishments for very trivial offenses.
1t is not an uncommon thing for the
king to sentence two men to be
chained together, who are then com
ner perhaps for years, as no one dare
release them without the kings per-
mission. And the king often for
gets to give it. An instance of this
kind was brought out recently when
one Of the prisoners died, and the
other unfortunate wretch was seen
dragging the body of his late com
panion about beside him, unable to
escape from his horrible yoke The
European consuls endeavored to OBJ
tain his release, but during the delay
occasoned by the, absence Of the king
the poor victim became insane and
soon arterward died.
When the king goes abroad through
the city or appears at any public func-
ton extreme care is taken by his Of
icers that no person is in any way on
the same level or above him. For
this reason he is placed on a raised
dais when inside building, and
when proceeding through the streets
all persons are warned to refrain from
looking from balconies or windows
while his majesty is passing.
Executions are Of frequent occur
renee, and the method of execution is
interesting, although revolving in de-
tail The locality mostly used for
this purpose is situated in valley
short distance from Bangkok. Morn
ing is the time generally selected,
when crowds of natives may be seen
moving toward the spot, arrayed in
their gayest colors, and one would
imagine that some pleasant and en-
joyable fete was about to be held The
assembled thousands, arrived at the
scene of action, chant merrily and
bet among themselves as to whether
the eXecutionor will cut his mans
head off at one blow
The exccutioner is dressed in red
rags and armed with large "dah," or
sword. The condemned man is then
led up by an escort drawn by lot
from his own station, who have charge
of the entire affair, and who are di-
rectly responsible to the king for the
successful carrying ont of his orders.
After a procession through the streets
of the city, in which the unfortunate
victim is compelled to carry the
weapon which is to take his life, the
cavacade moves to the execution
ground.
The headsman then proceeds to
shackle the prisoners ankles together
bind his hands behind his back, stuff
his ears with clay and bandage his
eyes. The spectators meanwhile take
advantage of this occasion to in
ton on variety of subjects. often
times wagering their entire possess
sons rs to the exact moment when the
victim will he killed, or whether he
will retain his Composure. The pris-
oner Is led forward and placed on an
elevated dais of earth in kneelng
position. and mark Is drawn upon
his neck with colored earth to indicate
the exact spot to strike.
The headsman retires to a distance
of about twenty PAGES. and COM
mences to leap and caper about, utter
ing cries and brandishing his dab, :"
all the time advancing toward his
victim until within striking distance
when he raises his sword as II to give
the fatal blow, but does not do SO
Again he returns to the same place
as before, and goes through a similar
performance, which he repeats for the
third time, when. rushing suddenly
forward. with one sweep of his
weapon he sewers the head from the
body, amid the applause of the as
sembled multitude or the gloomy
silence of those unfortunate better.
who have wagered against his sue
cessful performance of the feat
Sometimes it happens that the ex,
erutioner, through lack OF skill in
dealing the final blow, misses his aim
and gashes his man in frightful
manner. Should this happen he is
Immediately seized by an assistant
executioner and condemned to death,
another taking his place, who pro-
ceeds to 80 all through the perform
ance anew, while the unfortunate
wretch is writhing in agony and slow
Is bleeding to death As soon as the
condemned is successfully heheaded,
the official who has had charge Of the
affair chops off the heels Of the victim
and slips the irons over the feet.
These are conveyed to the king as tes-
timony OF his having faithfully per-
formed the duty intrusted to him.
This Is, however, but one OF many
customs in which undesirable sub