Evening star., 1899-03-25
PUNISHMENT IN SIAM
Barbarous Cruelties That Are Prao-
ticed on Criminals.
HOW THE HEADSMAN DOES HIS WORK
Some of the Ways Of Disposing
of Undesirable Subjects.
III r TRIAL BY ORDEAL
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press
Although the King of Siam styles himself
civilized morarch and his small kingdom
has been undergoing regcpcratiug pro-
cess. the traveller in that strange country
viii still find relics Of barbarlsm. Among
the most Curl practices still in vogue
are those for The punishment OF criminals
Men are often subjected to severe pun
ishments for very trivial ofrenses II is
not an uncommon thing for the king to
sentence two men to be chained together
who are then compelled to go about yolzed
in this manner perhaps for years, as no
one dare release them without the kings
permission. And the king often forEets
to give 1t. An instance of this kind was
brought out recently when one of the pris-
oners died. and the other unfortunate
wretch was seen dragging the body Of his
late companion about beside him. unable
To escape from his horrible yoke. The
European cousuls eudeavored to obtain his
release, but during the delay occasioned
by the absence of the king the poor victim
became insane and soon afterward died.
When the king goes abroad through the
city or appears at any public function eN-
treme care is taken by his officers that no
person is i'm any way on the same level or
above him. For this reason he is placed on
raised dais when inside a building and
wien proceeding through the streets all
persons are warned to refrain from looking
from balconies or windows while his maj
esty is passing.
Method of Execution.
Executions are of frequent occurrence,
and the method Of execution is interesting.
although revolving in detail The locality
| mostly used for this purpose is situated in
valley short distance from Bangkok
Morning is the time generally selected,
VIXEN crowds Of natives may he seen rnov-
ing toward the spot arrayed in their gay
est colors, and one would imagine that
some pleasant and enjoyable fete was
about 10 be held. The assembled tholls-
ands, arrived at the scene Of action, chant
merrjly and bet among themselves as to
whether the executioner will cut his mans
head off at one blow.
The eXecutioner 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 directly responsible to the king for
the successful carrying out 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 cavalcade moves TO
the execution ground.
Gruesome Ceremony
The headsman then proceeds to shackIe
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 indulge in the most animated speculation
on variety of subjects oftentimes wager
ing their entire possessions as to the eX-
act moment when the victim will he killed
or whether he will retain his compasure
The prisoner is led forward and placed on
an elevated dais of earth In a kueeling po-
siion. and mark is drawn upon his neck
with colored earth to indicate the exact
spot to strike.
The headsman retires to distance Of
about twenty PAGES, and commences to leap
and caper about. uttering cries and brand
ishing his 'dah," all the time advancing
toward his victim until within striking dis
tance. when he raises his sword as II to
give the fatal blow. hut does not do So
Again he returns to the same place as be-
fore and goes through a similar perform
ance. 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
assembled multitude or the gloomy silence
of those unfortunate bettors who have
wagered against his successful performance
of the feat.
Horrible Spectacle.
Sometimes it happens that the execu-
toner, through lack of skill in dealing the
final blow, misses his aim and gashes his
MAN III d lFlSnllul manner. SnOulu inns
happen he is Immediately seized by an as
sistant eXecutioner and condemned to
death. another taking his place. who pro-
ceeds to go all through the performance
anew, while the unfortunate wretch is
writhing in agony and slowly bleeding TO
death. As soon as the condemned is sue
cesSfully beheaded. the official who has had
charge of the affair chops off the heels OF
the victim and slips the ircns over the feet.
These are conveyed to the king as testi-
mony of his having faithfully performed
the duty intruSted to him.
This is. however. but one of many GUS
toms in which undesirable subjects may be
disposed Of. Such minor transgressions as
theft, wife stealing and combating of off,
cial authority visit upon the head Of the
offender punishment ranging In scale ac-
cording to the euormity of the offense.
Thus man may consider himself fortunate
il for his peccadiliOs he is subjected to no
greater physical inconvenience than having
the nails of his fingers and toes torn out by
the roots, suffering the loss of an eye,
tongue. nose or. in more aggravated in
stances, probably his hands and feet. A
punishment which is reserved for extraor-
dinary cases is the building up of the vic
tim I'm plaster of paris-one OF the most
dabolical and inhuman tortures that tho
mind can conceive.
Squeezed to Death.
A large hole is dug in the ground of suf-
iicient length and depth to hold the body OF
the Iltenueu ana INTO InlS mole ne IS
placed. with his hands and feet securely
tied. Liquid plaster of paris is poured in
over the body. incasng it in a mold. On
cooling it hardens and contracts gradually
squeezing the victim to death in an ada
mantne mold and causing the most excru-
cating torture. The body is allowed to re-
main in this state for weeks and months
after death as warning to other offenders.
Similar aboriginal methods are likewise
observed in the trial of those accused Of
crime. This is more true outside of Bang
kok. for in the latter city civilization has
had some appreciable influence in lessening
these abuses. In Siam in general howevet,
the practice of trial by ordeal is still COM
mon. The commonest method is to give the
accused handful of rice to chew and
when the rice is masticated IL is placed
upon a small sheet of cloth. If traces of
blood found, the guilt of the accused ia
assured and he is Immediately punished;
should there be no trace he is given his
freedom