Translation:Announcements, Acts, and Decrees From the Reign of Rama VI/Tome 2/Part 96

Announcement of
Promulgation of the Act Concerning Slavery of the Year 124^[1]
in Phayap Circle^[2]

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By the command of Phrabat Somdet Phra Paramen Maha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkutklao Chaoyuhua, the following has been directed to be announced for general information: Pursuant to the provisions of the Act Concerning Slavery in Phayap Circle, 119 Rattanakosin Era,^[3] the prices of slaves, both male and female, have been reduced, slaves have been given opportunities to be redeemed, captive slaves and purchased slaves are to be discharged from prices and set free upon reaching the age of sixty years, and all slaves’ offspring born on the 16th day of December 116 Rattanakosin Era^[4] or after the 16th day of December 116 Rattanakosin Era have been discharged from prices and set free, the particulars of which are already indicated in that Act Concerning Slavery in Phayap Circle, 119 Rattanakosin Era.

Now, His Majesty entertains an opinion that, at present, there is only one group of slaves left for sale and purchase in Phayap Circle, that is, those who were born before the 16th day of December 116 Rattanakosin Era. For these people, the opportunity to be discharged from prices and set free still takes decades to come, which does not catch up with the timely modernisation of the Country. In addition, announcements have been made to set proper standards for reduction of slave prices without causing trouble to those who have been accustomed with the employment of slaves. It is therefore appropriate to enforce the Slavery Act, 124 Rattanakosin Era in Phayap Circle, for which reason He hereby orders with His gracious pleasure that the Slavery Act announced on the 1st day of April 124 Rattanakosin Era^[5] be promulgated in Phayap Circle and slave prices be reduced from the 1st day of April 131 Rattanakosin Era^[6] onwards.

Announced on the 16th day of January 130 Rattanakosin Era,^[6] the 2nd year of His reign, corresponding to the 432nd day of this reign.

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1. 2448 Buddhist Era, 1905 Common Era. (Wikisource contributor note)
2. An administrative division of Siam based in present-day Chiang Mai, Thailand. (Wikisource contributor note)
3. Known as the Act Concerning Slavery in Tawan Tok Chiang Nuea Circle, 119 Rattanakosin Era before the circle was renamed to Phayap. The year 119 Rattanakosin Era corresponded to 2443 Buddhist Era and 1900 Common Era. (Wikisource contributor note)
4. 2440 Buddhist Era, 1897 Common Era. (Wikisource contributor note)
5. 2448 Buddhist Era, 1905 Common Era. (Wikisource contributor note)
6. 2455 Buddhist Era, 1912 Common Era. (Wikisource contributor note)