The Last Moments of Life

Three images of criminals being beheaded. Before they executioner would decapitate the convicted, an elaborate ritual was performed. Once the executioner believed that the criminal was at peace with himself, he would swoop down from behind and slice of the head. Many executioners would then go to the temple to make merit.

 

Public Execution in the Siam of Old

Long before Siam became known as Thailand, prisoners were publicly beheaded by sword. This practice ended in 1919, when Boonpeng Heep Lek was the last person to be executed in this way. These rather graphic pictures show how the beheading took place. To read three true stories of public beheading in Siam, visit my other blog: Faraang.