Just putting this here for info. Widely reported in Thai media.
I know its a difficult one to comment on. But it will be interesting to see how this pans out in the current climate.
Paul Chambers, an American academic at Naresuan University, has been charged with lèse-majesté.
The Phitsanulok Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant after the 3rd Army Region filed a complaint over a lecture about the monarchy and military appointments.
The university president has arranged for him to report to authorities and acknowledge the charge on April 8. Chambers is known for his work on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He teaches at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
American academic charged with lese-majeste
American academic charged with lese-majeste
Talk is cheap
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
More info from The Bangkok Post, Seems the authorities were dissuaded from detaining him immediately.
I have read one of his books, Khaki Capital, which is about the economics of each nations army in SE Asia, so for Thailand that includes very detailed data about their business activites, of which many are well known, others less so. It's available in English in Bangkok.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
I have read one of his books, Khaki Capital, which is about the economics of each nations army in SE Asia, so for Thailand that includes very detailed data about their business activites, of which many are well known, others less so. It's available in English in Bangkok.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
Talk is cheap
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
Interesting.
The Phitsanulok Provincial Court has denied bail for Paul Chambers, an American academic and adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University, who has been accused by the 3rd Army Region of lèse-majesté and violating the Computer Crime Act.
An arrest warrant was issued by the court, and Dr. Chambers appeared at the Phitsanulok Police Station today to acknowledge the charges. No summons had been issued prior to the arrest warrant.
Chambers, who holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University, is known for his research on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He currently teaches at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
The Phitsanulok Provincial Court has denied bail for Paul Chambers, an American academic and adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University, who has been accused by the 3rd Army Region of lèse-majesté and violating the Computer Crime Act.
An arrest warrant was issued by the court, and Dr. Chambers appeared at the Phitsanulok Police Station today to acknowledge the charges. No summons had been issued prior to the arrest warrant.
Chambers, who holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University, is known for his research on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He currently teaches at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
Talk is cheap
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
US response
The U.S. Department of State expressed "concern" regarding the arrest of Paul Chambers, an American academic and adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University, who has been accused by the 3rd Army Region of lèse-majesté and violating the Computer Crime Act.
A spokesperson for the State Department, quoted by CNN, reiterated that the U.S. supports global freedom of expression and has consistently urged Thai authorities—both privately and publicly—to protect this right in line with Thailand’s international obligations.
The Southeast Asian Human Rights and Peace Studies Network has previously raised "grave concern" over Chambers' arrest, noting that criminalizing academic expression undermines core democratic values, weakens educational institutions, and threatens academic freedom.
Scholars at Risk also expressed "deep concern" over the arrest warrant issued by the Thai army for Chambers today. They emphasized that he will need support from the international higher education community.
The Phitsanulok Provincial Court denied two bail requests for Chambers today. He is currently in pretrial detention, with his bail request set to be appealed in a higher court tomorrow.
Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, advocacy lead for Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and part of Chambers’ legal team, clarified that Chambers is accused of publishing a blurb on the Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies website. The blurb was linked to an ISEAS webinar in October 2024 about military reshuffles. Chambers denies the charges, asserting that he neither wrote nor published the blurb.
Chambers, who holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University, is known for his research on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He currently teaches at the Center for ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.
If found guilty of lèse-majesté under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, he could face a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years.
#Thailand #ม112 #HumanRights #PaulChambers #AcademicFreedom
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
The U.S. Department of State expressed "concern" regarding the arrest of Paul Chambers, an American academic and adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University, who has been accused by the 3rd Army Region of lèse-majesté and violating the Computer Crime Act.
A spokesperson for the State Department, quoted by CNN, reiterated that the U.S. supports global freedom of expression and has consistently urged Thai authorities—both privately and publicly—to protect this right in line with Thailand’s international obligations.
The Southeast Asian Human Rights and Peace Studies Network has previously raised "grave concern" over Chambers' arrest, noting that criminalizing academic expression undermines core democratic values, weakens educational institutions, and threatens academic freedom.
Scholars at Risk also expressed "deep concern" over the arrest warrant issued by the Thai army for Chambers today. They emphasized that he will need support from the international higher education community.
The Phitsanulok Provincial Court denied two bail requests for Chambers today. He is currently in pretrial detention, with his bail request set to be appealed in a higher court tomorrow.
Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, advocacy lead for Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and part of Chambers’ legal team, clarified that Chambers is accused of publishing a blurb on the Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies website. The blurb was linked to an ISEAS webinar in October 2024 about military reshuffles. Chambers denies the charges, asserting that he neither wrote nor published the blurb.
Chambers, who holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University, is known for his research on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He currently teaches at the Center for ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University.
If found guilty of lèse-majesté under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, he could face a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years.
#Thailand #ม112 #HumanRights #PaulChambers #AcademicFreedom
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
Talk is cheap
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
This is all moving very quickly now.
Thailand revokes visa of American detained on royal insult charge
Police searching offices of academic Paul Chambers, US ‘alarmed’ by developments
Full story from the Bangkok Post:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
Thailand revokes visa of American detained on royal insult charge
Police searching offices of academic Paul Chambers, US ‘alarmed’ by developments
Full story from the Bangkok Post:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
Talk is cheap
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GroveHillWanderer
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Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
He was also denied bail and has had his visa revoked.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
Thailand revokes visa of American detained on royal insult charge
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ult-charge
Thailand revokes visa of American detained on royal insult charge
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
Chambers now released on bail.
Paul Chambers, an American academic at Naresuan University who has been accused of royal defamation by the 3rd Army Region, has been released from pretrial detention.
He was previously granted bail by the Appeals Court Region 6 in connection with charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code (lèse-majesté) and the Computer Crime Act.
He has now been granted temporary release from immigration detention. His lawyer is scheduled to appeal the Immigration Bureau’s decision to revoke his visa tomorrow.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
Paul Chambers, an American academic at Naresuan University who has been accused of royal defamation by the 3rd Army Region, has been released from pretrial detention.
He was previously granted bail by the Appeals Court Region 6 in connection with charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code (lèse-majesté) and the Computer Crime Act.
He has now been granted temporary release from immigration detention. His lawyer is scheduled to appeal the Immigration Bureau’s decision to revoke his visa tomorrow.
https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer
Talk is cheap
Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
Hard to believe they’d charge him just for a lecture
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GroveHillWanderer
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Re: American academic charged with lese-majeste
Post deleted - possibly best not to comment.
Last edited by GroveHillWanderer on Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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GroveHillWanderer
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