Minister King to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Bangkok,
Siam, April 21,
1905.
No. 233.]
Sir: I inclose the copy of a royal decree
issued by His Majesty on March 31, 1905, abolishing the last remnant of
debt slavery in the Kingdom, another evidence of Siam’s vitality.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Abolition of slavery in Siam—New
law.
By a new law now passed the Government of Siam is completing the task
of the gradual entire abolition of all such remnants of the old
system of slavery as still remain in existence. The text of the new
law is as follows:
Although slavery in our realm is very different from slavery as it
has existed in many other countries—most slaves being persons who
have become so voluntarily and not by force and the powers of the
master over the slaves being strictly limited—yet we have always
considered that the institution, even in this modified form, is an
impediment to the progress of our country. We have, therefore, from
the commencement of our reign taken steps, by the enactment of laws
and otherwise, for the abolition of slavery, notably by the law of
Pee Chau (corresponding to Ratanakosindr Sok 93 and the year 1874 of
the Christian era).
We now deem it time to take more sweeping measures which will
gradually result in the entire disappearance of slavery from Siam,
and to that end we are pleased to decree as follows:
- Section 1. This law shall be
known as the law for the abolition of slavery, Ratanakosindr
Sok 124.
- Sec. 2. This law shall come into
force on the 1st of April, Ratanakosindr Sok 124, throughout
the Kingdom, except in the Monthons of Bayap and Burapha
where we have already enacted special laws on the subject,
and also except in the Monthon of Saiburi and in Kelantan
and Tringganu, where the laws of the religion of the people
are still in force.
- Sec. 3. All children born of
parents who are slaves shall be free without the execution
of the condition stated in the law of Pee Chau.
- Sec. 4. No person now free can
be made a slave. If any person now a slave shall hereafter
become free he can not thereafter again become a
slave.
- Sec. 5. Wherever any person is
now held a debt slave, the master shall credit upon the
principal of the debt for which he is held a slave the sum
of four (4) ticals for each month after the 1st of April,
124, provided that no credit shall be allowed for any time
during which the slave may desert his master.
- Sec. 6. If a slave changes his
master, no increase shall be made in the debt for which he
is actually held—that is to say, when the slave is
transferred from one master to another, he can be held by
the new master only for the amount of the debt actually due
the old master at the time of the transfer.
Done in
Bangkok on this the 31st day of March,
Ratanakosindr Sok, 123.
