U.S. academic charged in Thailand over alleged royal defamation

BANGKOK — U.S. political scientist Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Thailand’s Naresuan University, has been charged under a law that outlaws criticizing the monarch, prompting alarm from the U.S. government and academic rights groups.​

According to CNN, Chambers turned himself in to authorities on April 8 following a complaint filed by Thailand’s 3rd Army Region. The charges relate to a 2024 military reshuffle webinar hosted by Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. Chambers denies writing the online event description cited in the charge sheet.​

The 58-year-old Oklahoma native was initially detained and denied bail. He was later released after multiple appeals but remains barred from leaving Thailand and has had his work visa revoked.

Chambers faces penalties of up to 15 years per offense, according to the Independent. The law has been used with growing frequency in recent years, with at least 270 people charged since 2020 for allegedly insulting the monarchy.​

“As a treaty ally of Thailand, we will closely monitor this issue and advocate for the fair treatment of Paul Chambers,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. She said the United States has great concern about the law Chambers is accused of violating.

Academic rights groups have warned that the case could further restrict academic freedom in Thailand. No trial date has been announced. Legal appeals remain ongoing.

“This case tightens the lid on academic freedom and will reinforce the closing of Thai minds and undermine the intellectual and research ecosystem necessary to foster ideas and innovation to propel the Thai economy forward,” Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, said to CNN.