Report OAG spokesperson says Region 6 prosecutors drop charges against Paul Chambers over lese-maje

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Photo: Facebook Paul Chambers
 

Thailand's legal system is in the spotlight after an arrest warrant was issued for American academic Paul Chambers. Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, is the target of lese majeste charges, a rare move against a foreigner under these stringent Thai laws.

 

The warrant arose from an army-filed case alleging both royal insult and violations of the computer crimes act, leading Chambers to plan a police meeting in Phitsanulok.

 

The basis for the charges, reportedly linked to an article Chambers posted online last year, remains undisclosed by authorities. Thai police have yet to comment, and responses from the U.S. embassy and Thai government are also absent. Data from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reveals that 278 people have faced lese majeste accusations since 2020, highlighting the contentious nature of this law.

 

Thailand's lese majeste statutes enforce penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment for defaming or insulting the monarchy. Though mostly applied to Thai citizens, the law has occasionally implicated foreigners, sparking controversy within international circles.

 

 

 

Human rights activists have condemned Chambers' charge, expressing concerns over the impact on academic freedom and potential deterrents for foreign scholars in Thailand.

 

Phil Robertson, an advocate from Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, criticised the charges as detrimental to Thailand's educational ambitions. SEAHRN has echoed these concerns, urging Thai authorities to drop the allegations.

 

Meanwhile, Chambers' academic work, focused on Thai military dynamics and regional comparisons, remains significant in scholarly circles. As the situation unfolds, the implications for foreign academics in Thailand are keenly observed, stressing the delicate balance between national law and academic expression.

 

Based on a story by Reuters
 

-- 2025-04-05

 

 

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Academic Outrage: American Scholar Denied Bail Under Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

 

Paul Chambers, a respected American academic from Naresuan University, remains in custody after being denied bail by the Phitsanulok Court on charges of lese majeste, a development causing widespread concern over issues of academic freedom and human rights in Thailand.

 

Dr Chambers, known for his expertise in Southeast Asian military-civilian relations, was arrested following an arrest warrant issued by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court. His detention is linked to accusations of defaming the monarchy and violating the Computer Crime Act by allegedly spreading false information damaging to national security, a complaint raised by the Third Army Region.

 

This arrest has triggered backlash from human rights advocates and Thai politicians, who argue that it poses a threat to freedom of expression and the independence of academia. Sunai Phasuk from Human Rights Watch highlighted the gravity of the situation by questioning Thailand's commitment to democracy and human rights as a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

 

 

 

Chetwan Tueprakon of the Prachachon Party also expressed dismay over what he sees as increasing state suppression of academic expression, stating that human rights and academic freedoms are being severely compromised.

 

Dr Chambers, whose research scrutinises the Thai military's influence in politics, was detained without prior notice, focussing attention on the broader implications of his academic work. His arrest highlights the tension between academic inquiry and stringent national security laws in Thailand, specifically regarding lese majeste under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. This law imposes penalties of three to 15 years in prison for defaming or insulting the monarchy.

 

The case raises critical questions about the balance between national security and freedom of speech, particularly in academic contexts, sparking a debate about the future of academic dialogue in Thailand, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

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US Scholar in Thai Jail: Family Fights Lese Majeste Charges

 

Screenshots from NBCDFW video

 

A Dallas man's relentless battle to exonerate his brother, Paul Chambers, a distinguished American academic detained in Thailand, underscores the complexities of international law and freedom of speech issues. Paul, based in Thailand for over 30 years, faces allegations of lese majeste—insulting the monarchy—and breaching the Computer Crime Act, charges his family vehemently denies.

 

Originating from Oklahoma, Paul Chambers has devoted his career to examining Southeast Asia's civil-military dynamics. The controversy centres around a webinar on the Thai military he attended in October, with accusations tied to a promotional blurb his family insists Paul did not author.

 

His brother Kit Chambers, from Dallas, expressed bewilderment over the situation: "We don’t know why this has happened. We just don’t." Paul, 58, voluntarily surrendered to police following the arrest warrant but has since been incommunicado for over a day.

 

 

 

Facing a possible 15-year sentence, Paul's predicament is dire, particularly considering the challenging conditions within Thai prisons. With two bail attempts thwarted, his family is now seeking an appeal. Meanwhile, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights are defending Paul, as Kit pleads for US governmental intervention.

 

The US State Department has voiced significant concern, providing consular aid and advocating for greater freedom of expression in Thailand, urging adherence to international human rights obligations.

 

This case has ignited international debate, highlighting fears that Thailand's lese majeste laws may be curbing free speech. As the US embassy in Thailand closely monitors developments, they pledge to safeguard Paul's prison conditions and champion his fair treatment and eventual release, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

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Bail Granted to American Academic Paul Chambers in Thai Lèse-Majesté Case

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

The Court of Appeal Region 6 has granted bail to American scholar Paul Chambers amid allegations under Thailand's lèse-majesté law. Chambers, a university lecturer, remains in custody awaiting immigration approval for his release.

 

Paul Chambers, an academic and lecturer from Naresuan University, was charged under Article 112 and the Computer Crimes Act following a complaint by the Third Army Region. Previously, the Phitsanulok Provincial Court had denied him bail, resulting in his detention since April 8.

 

 

 

In a recent update from Nakhon Sawan province, it was reported that Chambers’ lawyer successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal Region 6, which subsequently granted bail. However, the legal team still needs to secure an approval from immigration authorities to finalise his release.

 

According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Chambers will remain in Phitsanulok Prison until the immigration officials approve his bail, which would allow him to leave custody.

 

Based on a story by Thai Rath

 

-- 2025-04-10

 

 

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Doctor Paul Chambers Wins Right to Ditch Monitoring Bracelet

 

U.S. political science lecturer Paul Chambers (left) of Thailand’s Naresuan University, stands outside the police station in Phitsanulok | Photo via AP

 

In a notable victory for Doctor Paul Chambers, the Court of Appeal Region 6 has ruled that he can remove the electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet that he has been required to wear since April 10th. This decision comes after Chambers appealed a previous court order, amid an ongoing legal battle involving allegations under Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws.

 

On April 28th, Chambers sought the removal of the EM device from the Phitsanulok Provincial Court. However, the court, after a detailed hour-long review, denied his request, maintaining their initial stance to uphold the conditions set by the Court of Appeal Region 6. Undeterred, Chambers took his case to the higher court, which has now overturned the earlier decision, allowing him to remove the bracelet. Despite this success, Chambers is still bound by various bail conditions, including the surrender of his passport and a ban on traveling outside Thailand without explicit court approval.

 

The legal proceedings against Chambers are rooted in allegations from the Third Army Region commander. It is claimed that Chambers posted an article on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's website, containing content deemed defamatory to the Thai king. Under Thailand's stringent Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese-majeste law, such actions are punishable by harsh penalties. Chambers, an academic with ties to Singapore, has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that he did not author or post the contentious article, nor is he involved in managing the website.

 

Chambers' ordeal began when he voluntarily approached investigators on April 8th, upon learning that a court-issued arrest warrant had been placed. Despite his cooperation, the Phitsanulok Provincial Court initially detained him and denied bail twice on the same day. The situation took a turn when the Court of Appeal Region 6 temporarily released him the following day, imposing conditions that included appointing a supervisor for the duration of his release, alongside wearing the electronic bracelet.

 

 

 

The permission to remove the EM device represents a pivotal moment, yet the underlying charges remain unresolved. Chambers continues to fight the allegations, which have spotlighted the controversial lese-majeste laws, often criticized for suppressing free speech and academic freedom.

 

Chambers' case has attracted widespread attention from human rights organizations and academics globally, who argue that such legal actions threaten academic freedom and expression. The Human Rights Lawyers Centre in particular has been vocal, using social media to highlight the implications of these charges on international human rights standards.

 

As the investigation progresses, this legal battle not only affects Chambers personally but also raises larger questions about the application of Thailand’s lese-majeste laws. These developments are being closely monitored, both within Thailand and internationally, as they may have significant implications for freedom of speech and the rights of individuals to engage in critical discourse.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-01

 

 

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Royal insult charges against American dropped

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

 

Thailand’s state prosecutor has decided not to prosecute American academic Paul Chambers, who faced charges last month for insulting the royal family and violating the computer crimes act.

 

Arrested on a complaint by the army, Chambers was confronted with the possibility of 15 years in jail, sparking a backlash within Thailand and criticism from the US State Department.

 

The decision to drop charges comes as the Office of the Attorney General requested Chambers' release from the Phitsanulok court.

 

The prosecutor also plans to consult with the police force about this conclusion. Paul's ordeal included a day in pre-trial detention, weeks wearing an ankle bracelet, and the cancellation of his Thai work visa with restrictions on leaving the country.

 

The charges dated back to remarks in a blurb for an online seminar in which Chambers participated, published by a research institute outside Thailand.

 

His lawyer, Wannaphat Jenroumjit, sees the prosecutor’s swift action as a means to lessen the harm suffered by Chambers. An appeal concerning Chambers’ visa cancellation is underway, but a decision from the immigration bureau remains pending.

 

This decision highlights ongoing tensions concerning freedom of expression in Thailand and underscores the challenging circumstances surrounding lèse-majesté laws.

 

The case drew international attention, particularly from human rights advocates and foreign diplomats concerned about legal repercussions for academic freedom and the broader implications on expression in a digital age.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Reuters via Thai Newsroom 2025-05-02