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reverence, which shall no one violate.' The meaning of this section has already been stated in brief, that is, the Monarch is the head of the nation and all the people, and he is in the position that should be free from censure of whatever kind. For such reason, such a principle as this is set out in the constitution of any and every country which is ruled by a monarch and has a constitution. And the term 'sacred' in the Japanese constitution[1] has been translated by a certain translator as 'khaorop',[2] which is somewhat correct. But if we want it to be quite correct, there should be the word sakkara[3] also, in respect of which the Subcommittee has expressed its approval. As for the phrase 'which shall no one violate', we want it to mean that no one can violate him by subjecting him to a litigation or accusation. If there should be anyone doubting as to what should be done when one suffers injury and cannot institute a litigation against him, we must firstly think that he is the Head [of State, whose Government is] conventionally called 'His Majesty's Government' [and whose courts, known as] 'His Majesty's courts', would try and adjudicate upon cases in his name. Therefore, speaking of the legal principles in some countries, no litigation, whether criminal or civil, can be initiated against him. But it is said that if he has to be responsible for a pecuniary matter, a litigation can be started against the Bedside Treasury.[4] And [the provision] thus written would not affect the rights of or cause injury to any citizen at all. So, I would like to add the word sakkara after the word khaorop."[5]

Nai Sa-nguan Tularak said: "The term 'divine person' is too narrow. I want to

  1. Article 3 of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan provided: "The Emperor is sacred and inviolable" (Clement, 1916, p. 56).
  2. Khaorop (Thai: เคารพ), here translated as "reverence/to revere", is defined by the Office of the Royal Society (2013) as (1) "to show esteem for"; (2) "to refrain from violating, to refrain from interfering with".
  3. Sakkara (Thai: สักการ), here translated as "to worship", is defined by the Office of the Royal Society (2013) as "to worship with proper objects or instruments, as flowers, joss sticks, or candles".
  4. According to Damrong Rajanubhab (1967, pp. (13)–(16)), the Bedside Treasury (Thai: พระคลังข้างที่) was an agency responsible for the private finance of the monarch, established by Chulalongkorn in the year 2433 BE (1890/91 CE), and the agency derived its name from a money chest traditionally placed by the side of a royal bed.
  5. Resulting in khaorop sakkara (Thai: เคารพสักการะ; "revered worship").