US Academic Detained in Thailand on Royal Defamation Charges

Paul Chambers, a political science scholar, faces pretrial detention and visa revocation under strict lese majeste laws, drawing international concern over academic freedom and free speech.

Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, has been charged under Thailand's lese majeste law and the Computer Crime Act, facing up to 15 years in prison per offense.
The charges stem from a disputed online post related to a 2024 academic webinar on military reshuffles, which Chambers denies authoring or publishing.
Chambers was denied bail by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court, citing the severity of potential penalties and his foreign nationality as reasons for detention.
Thai immigration authorities revoked Chambers' visa, further limiting his ability to remain in the country and continue his academic work.
The US government and international rights groups have expressed alarm, urging Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and ensure fair treatment in the case.