The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-01-17
TORTURING IN SIAM.
THE HORRIBLE CODE OF JUSTICE IN
THAT QUEER LAND.
Criminals Are Sometimes Buried
Alive In Plaster Molds-Exeeutions
by the Headsman Are Fantastic
and Brutal In the Extreme.

by the Headsman Are Fantastic
and Brutal In the Extreme.
The traveller in that strange country
Siam, will still find many relics Of bar
barism Among the most curious prac'
tices still in vogue are those for the pun
ishment of criminals
Men are often subjected to severe pun
ishments for very trivial offenses. 1t is
not an uncommon thing for the king Il
sentence two men to be chained together,
who are then compelled TO go about yoked
in this manner perhaps for years, as no
one dare release them without the kings
permission, and the king often forgets to
give il. 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 consuls endeavored TO obtain his
release, but during the delay occasioned
by the absence of tho king the poor victim
became insane and soon afterward died
Executions are of frequent occurrence,
and the method of execution is interest
ing, 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, when crowds of natives may be
seen moving toward the spot, arrayed in
their gayest colors, and ono would imag.
inc that some pleasant and enjoyable 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 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 or
ders. After procession through the
streets of the city, in which the unfortu-
nate victim is compelled to carry the
weapon which is to take his life, the caval-
cade 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 indulge in the most animated specula'
tion on variety of subjects, oftentimes
wagering their entire possessions as to the
exact moment when the victim will be
killed or whether he will retain his COM
posure. The prisoner is led forward and
placed on an elevated dais of earth in a
kneeling position, and a mark is drawn
upon his neck with colored earth to indi-
cate the exact spot to strike.
The headsman retires to a distance of
about 90 PAGES and commences to leap and
caper about, uttering cries and brandish
ing his "dah, all the time advancing to-
ward his victim until within striking dis
tance, when he raises his sword as If to
give the fatal blow, but 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 perform
ance of the feat
Sometimes it happens that the execu'
tioner, through lack of skill in dealing
the final blow, misses his aim and gashes
his man in O 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 go all through tho 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 irons over the
feet. These are conveyed to the king as
testimony of his having faithfully per.
| formed 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
official authority visit upon the head of
the offender punishment ranging in scale
according to the enormity of the offense.
| Thus man may consider himself fortu-
nate if for his peccadilloes 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 aggravat
ed instances, probably his hands and feet.
| A punishment which is reserved for ex-
traordinary cases is the building up of the
victim in plaster of paris, one of the most
diabolical and inhuman tortures that the
mind can conceive.
A large hole is dug in the ground Of
sufficient length and depth to hold the
body of the intended victim, and into this
hole he is placed, with his hands and feet
securely tied Liquid plaster Of paris is
poured in over the body, incasing it in a
mold. On settling it hardens and con-
tracts, gradually squeezing the victim to
death in an adamantine mold and causing
the most excruciating torture. The body
is allowed to remain 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 lessen
ing these abuses. In Siam in general,
however, the practice of trial by ordeal is
still common The commonest method Is
to give the accused handful of rice tC
chew, and when the rice is masticated it il
placed upon a small sheet of cloth. i
traces of blood are found, the guilt Of tht
accused is assured, and he is Immediately
| I ~ l.. l..