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4mo ago

Thailand Drops Charges Against American Academic Paul Chambers

Prosecutors dismissed royal insult and computer crime charges, but Chambers’ visa cancellation appeal remains unresolved.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida review the guard of honour during a trooping of the colours ceremony to mark the 72nd birthday of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand, December 3, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo
A protester burns portraits of King Vajiralongkorn during a demonstration demanding the release of alleged offenders of Thailand’s lèse majesté law (Sipa photo by Varuth Pongsapipatt via AP Images).

Overview

  • Thailand's Office of the Attorney General announced it will not pursue lese-majesté and computer crime charges against Paul Chambers, an American academic.
  • Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, was arrested in April after a complaint by a regional army unit over comments related to a 2024 academic seminar.
  • The U.S. State Department had expressed alarm over the case, which delayed planned U.S.–Thailand trade talks over human rights concerns.
  • Chambers spent a day in detention, was released on bail with an ankle monitor, and had his Thai work visa revoked, which he is now appealing.
  • The case highlights tensions surrounding Thailand’s strict lese-majesté law, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and its implications for free speech and academic freedom.