An American academic, specializing in civil-military relations and democratization in Southeast Asia, has been detained in Thailand for allegedly insulting the monarchy, a rare instance of a foreign national entangled in the country’s stringent lese-majesty laws. Paul Chambers, who faces charges under section 112 of the Thai criminal code and section 14 of the Computer Crimes Act, denies all accusations, but was denied bail and is currently in custody at Phitsanulok provincial prison.

The charges stem from a webinar invitation entitled “Thailand’s 2024 Military and Police Reshuffles: What Do They Mean?” that was published on the website of a Singapore-based research center. Despite his denial of authorship or publication of the blurb, Chambers is being prosecuted under laws that can imprison individuals for up to 15 years for royal family criticism.

Thailand’s lese-majesty laws are among the most restrictive globally, where any criticism of the monarchy can lead to severe legal consequences. Since the crackdown on youth-led protests in 2020, over 277 individuals have been charged under these laws. This includes charges for political speeches, impersonation via clothing, and the sale of satirical cartoons.

Foreign nationals are rarely the subjects of such charges. Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in Thailand and a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, is at the center of an unusually harsh legal action that could adversely impact academic freedom and free speech in the country.

Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, has criticized the prosecution, calling it a “serious blot” on Thailand’s human rights record and anticipating severe consequences for academic freedom and free speech if the charges continue.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/08/american-academic-paul-chambers-thailand-charged-insulting-monarchy